What does "superman" mean?
An imagined superior type of human being representing a new stage of human development; an übermensch, an overman.
Superman
/ˈs(j)uːpəmæn/ name, noun
name, noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An imagined superior type of human being representing a new stage of human development; an übermensch, an overman.
- Grammar: superman is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: ubermensch, ace, acid, antaeus.
- Useful contrasts: average human, average person, common man.
- Usage evidence: Superman flies as fast as a rocket.
How to use "superman"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "superman" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "superman" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "superman" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "superman" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "superman" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "ubermensch" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "superman", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An imagined superior type of human being representing a new stage of human development; an übermensch, an overman.
"Nietzsche wrote of the coming of the superman."
- 2 Alternative letter-case form of superman: a man of extraordinary or seemingly superhuman powers. alt-of, countable, uncountable
- 3 street name for lysergic acid diethylamide wordnet
- 4 A man of extraordinary or seemingly superhuman powers.
"[page 113] The idea of superman is as old as the world. Through all the centuries, through hundreds of centuries of its history, humanity has lived with the idea of superman. Sayings and legends of all ancient peoples are full of images of a superman. Heroes of myths, Titans, demi-gods, Prometheus, who brought fire from heaven; prophets, messiahs and saints of all religions; heroes of fairy tales and epic songs, knights who rescue captive princesses, awake sleeping beauties, vanquish dragons, and fight giants and ogres—all these are images of a superman. [...] [page 114] People dreamt of, or remembered times long past when their life was governed by supermen, who struggled against evil, upheld justice and acted as mediators between men and the Deity, governing them according to the will of the Deity, giving them laws, bringing them commandments."
- 5 A stunt in which the rider releases both hands from the handlebars in mid-air. countable, uncountable
"[page 77] Riders should adapt their own style when doing Supermans, and shouldn't get hung up trying to do it the same way that someone else does. […] [page 79] An extension of the Superman is a trick called the Superman Seat Grab. Even more impressive than the Superman itself, this trick was again brought over from the BMX world, […] During the Superman Seat Grab, […] the rider lets go of the left side of the bars and grabs either a cutout in the rear number plate or a grab handle that has been previously installed. With his body moved toward the back of the bike, the rider is able to extend the bike way out in front of himself, almost floating behind the machine. […] Whichever way they are done, the Superman and its variations are some of the most impressive and difficult tricks out there."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 a person with great powers and abilities wordnet
- 7 An exercise in which one lies prone and lifts one's arms and legs, with only the abdomen touching the ground. countable, uncountable
- 8 A flavor of ice cream that is a mixture of blue moon ice cream, and other ice cream flavors that are colored red and yellow. uncountable
Proper Noun
- 1 A fictional comic-book superhero with superhuman strength and speed, X-ray vision, and the ability to fly. countable, uncountable
"[…] hoping against hope that she, with something like Superman's X-ray vision, might see through the photograph and behind it to the truth about Harris's architecture."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
average humanaverage personcommon manmediocre performer
Example
"Superman flies as fast as a rocket."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "superman"?
Common synonyms include: ubermensch, ace, acid, antaeus, atlas, back breaker.
How do you use "superman" in a sentence?
Superman flies as fast as a rocket.
How do you pronounce "superman"?
Pronounced /ˈs(j)uːpəmæn/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
A calque of German Übermensch; super- + man. The German word was introduced by the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) in his work Also sprach Zarathustra (Thus Spoke Zarathustra, 1883), and rendered in English as superman by Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) in the play Man and Superman (1903) and by Thomas Common (1850–1919) in his 1909 translation of Nietzsche’s work. Some scholars regard this word as not properly conveying the meaning of Übermensch, and prefer to use the German word or overman. The “person of extraordinary powers” sense was reinforced by the DC Comics’ character Superman, who first appeared in Action Comics #1 dated June 1938.
Etymology 2
From super- + man. The character, created by Jerry Siegel (1914–1996) and Joe Shuster (1914–1992), first appeared in DC Comics’ Action Comics #1 dated June 1938. The ice-cream flavor is named in reference to the red, yellow and blue of the superhero's costume.