Cool MateSuper vs Terrific
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Super
InformalTop 1,000 (very common)B2adjective
Terrific
Top 1,000 (very common)C1adjective
Most formal: Terrific
| Super | Terrific | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsuːpə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsuːpər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/təˈrɪfɪk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/təˈrɪfɪk/"]/ |
| Meaning | Very or extremely good. | Very good or excellent. |
| Example | a super meal | She did a terrific job presenting her project to the class. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | super cute, super fast, super easy, super fun | terrific job, terrific idea, terrific time, terrific experience, terrific performance |
| Antonyms | poor, bad, inferior | terrible, awful, bad, dreadful |
| Common mistakes | Using 'super' in formal contexts where a more serious word is needed., Confusing 'super' with 'supper' due to their similar spelling., Incorrectly using 'super' as a noun. | Confuse with 'terrible', which means the opposite., Use it too casually in formal or serious contexts., Use it to describe something bad. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversations to emphasize something positively. Not suitable for formal writing. | Used to express enthusiasm or positivity, often in informal contexts. Avoid using in overly serious or formal discussions. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Super vs Terrific
What's the difference between Super and Terrific?
Super: Very or extremely good. Terrific: Very good or excellent.
Which is more formal: Super and Terrific?
Terrific is the most formal of these.
Which is more advanced: Super and Terrific?
Terrific is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Super and Terrific the same CEFR level?
Super: B2, Terrific: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Super and Terrific?
Super: adjective, Terrific: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Super: a super meal Terrific: She did a terrific job presenting her project to the class.
Can I use Super and Terrific interchangeably?
Not always. Super and Terrific are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.