Supreme
/suːˈpriːm/noun
Highest in rank, authority, degree, or quality.
Did you know?“Supreme” comes through Old French from Latin supermus, a superlative built on super- meaning “above,” and it’s the same ancient root behind words of elevation, excess, and going beyond limits.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*uper
“above, over”
Latin
Latin
super
“above, over, beyond”
Late Latin
Latin
supermus
“highest, uppermost”
Old French
Old French
souverain / suprême
“highest, supreme”
Middle English
English
supreme
“highest in rank or authority”
Modern English
English
supreme
“highest in rank, authority, degree, or quality”