Words / B2

soo-PREEM/suːˈpriːm/

Supreme means highest in rank or importance; the Supreme Court is a country’s top court: supreme authority; the Supreme Court. Highest is plain; utmost is formal intensity. The Supreme Court ruling featured in the law unit. Mix-up: supreme vs sublime (beauty); supreme as a food label (informal). Do not call a head of year supreme.

Meaning

Highest in rank or importance; the Supreme Court is a country’s top court.

Examples

• “The Supreme Court ruling featured in the law unit, not a local bench.”
• “The board has supreme authority over malpractice, which is the highest-rank sense.”

Good to know

supreme + noun; the Supreme Court; supremely. Plain: highest. Trap: sublime / supervisor. Law and politics. Highest authority, not a tasty pizza.

Near in meaning

highest

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