supremely
1400
su·preme·ly /su:'pri:mli, sju:-; sə-lisu-, su:-/ adv as much as possible; extremely: supremely happy/confident
Su·premes, The /su:'pri:mz, sju:-, sə-lisu-, su:-/ a US group of three women singers, who were the most successful female group from the MOTOWN record company in the 1960s. Their best-known singer, Diana Ross, left the group in 1970. Their songs include Baby Love and You Can't Hurry Love.
su·prem·o /su:'pri:məu, sju:-||su-, su:-/ n pl. -mos BrE infml a ruler or director with unlimited powers: England's soccer supremo
Supt. written abbrev. for SUPERINTENDENT
sur·charge¹ /'sɜ:tʃɑ:dʒ||'sɜ:rtʃɑ:rdʒ/ v [T(on)] to make an additional charge to or for, after an original payment has been made: He was surcharged on the parcel.
surcharge² n an amount charged in addition to the usual amount or the amount already paid, e.g. for a letter with too few stamps on it: We had to pay a fuel surcharge on our airline tickets because of the sudden increase in the cost of oil. | an import surcharge
sur·coat /'sɜ:kəut||'sɜ:r-/ n an armless garment worn over armour in former times
surd /sɜ:d||sɜ:rd/ n tech a quantity which cannot be shown in whole numbers: The square root of two is a surd.
sure¹ /ʃʊə/ adj 1 [F] having no doubt; confident in one's knowledge of something: I think so, but I'm not sure. | [+(that)] I'm sure he'll come. | [+wh-] I'm not sure whether to go. | I wasn't sure about/of the way, so I asked someone. | I feel sure I've met her before somewhere. | He's confident that they'll win, but I'm not so sure. 2 [F+to-v] certain (to happen): It's a really good film – you're sure to like it. | It's sure to rain. 3 [F+of] certain (of having or gaining something): I've never felt surer of success. 4 certain to be true or exact: One thing is sure; he can't have gone far. | Those black clouds are a sure sign (that) it's going to rain. 5 be sure to don't forget to: Be sure to turn everything off before you go to bed. 6 make sure of something/that a) to find out if something is certainly true: I think I locked the door, but I'll just go back and make sure (of it/that I did). b) to take action so that something will certainly happen: Make sure (that) you get here before midnight. | They made sure of winning by scoring two goals in the last five minutes. 7 sure of oneself sometimes derog believing (too) strongly in one's own abilities, actions etc; very confident: She's very sure of herself. -> see also SELF-ASSURED 8 to be sure, for sure it must be accepted (that); ADMITTEDLY: Some people may disagree, to be sure, but that doesn't mean I'm wrong. -> see also SURELY ——ness n [U]
Sure can be used in the same way as certain in sentences about events like this: He's sure/certain to come tomorrow | I'm not sure/certain (whether) I'll be able to come. But it cannot be used in sentences like this: It is certain (not sure) that he'll come tomorrow.
sure² adv 1 infml, especially AmE certainly: Sure I will. | 'Are you all right?' 'Sure.' | He sure is tall. -> see SURELY (USAGE) 2 for sure infml certainly so: She won't lend you any money, and that's for sure. 3 sure enough exactly as was expected: They all said it would fall down and sure enough it did. | 'Are you coming tomorrow?' 'Sure enough!'
sure-fire /'ʃʊəfaɪə||'ʃʊər-/ adj [A] infml certain to happen or succeed: a surefire winner/cure
sure-foot·ed /ˌʃʊə'fʊtɪd||ˌʃʊər-/ adj 1 able to walk firmly without slipping or falling in difficult places 2 able to make exact judgments, even in a difficult situation ——ly adv ——ness n [U]
sure·ly /'ʃʊəli||'ʃʊərli/ adv 1 I believe, hope, or expect: Surely you remember him? | You know him, surely? | It should surely be possible for them to reach an agreement. -> see USAGE 2 in a sure way: We made our way up the mountain slowly but surely. (=safely) | The violinist played the difficult passage skilfully and surely. (=confidently) 3 AmE old-fash yes: 'Would you hand me that book over there?' 'Surely.'
Surely does not usually have the same meaning as certainly. Compare He surely doesn't expect me to pay him immediately. (=I hope he doesn't expect this and I don't think he ought to) and He certainly doesn't expect me to pay him immediately. (=I know he doesn't expect the money now.) But, especially in American English, surely (often shortened to sure) can be used, like certainly and of course in answer to requests, to show willingness to help: 'Can I borrow this book?' 'Yes certainly/of course/surely/sure.' -> see also CERTAINLY (USAGE), COURSE (USAGE)
sure 'thing interj infml, especially AmE (used for expressing agreement with a statement or request): 'Buy a paper on the way home, will you.' 'Sure thing!'
sur·e·ty /'ʃʊərəti/ n [C;U] 1 a person who takes responsibility for the behaviour of another, especially to be responsible if the other person fails to pay a debt, appear in court etc: Are you willing to stand surety for your brother? 2 money given to make sure that a person will appear in court -> see also BAIL
surf
surf¹ /sɜ:f||sɜ:rf/ n [U] the FOAM (=white air-filled water) formed by waves on the sea when they come in towards rocks, a shore etc
surf² v [I] 1 to ride as a sport over waves coming in towards the shore, on a SURFBOARD: If the waves are big enough, we'll go surfing. -> see also WIND-SURFING
CULTURAL NOTE Surfing is considered to be an activity for young and fashionable people. It is associated especially with California, Hawaii, and Australia, and it usually makes people think of a sunny CLIMATE and the lifestyle that goes with it. Many people also think of the Beach Boys, who recorded popular songs about surfing.
2 surf the net to spend time looking at different WEBSITES on the INTERNET for anything that interests you ——er n
sur·face¹ /'sɜ:fɪs||'sɜ:r-/ n 1 [C] the outer part of an object, especially when considered with regard to its roughness or smoothness: the surface of the moon | the smooth surface of a polished table | How is the coal brought to the surface? | a flat working surface | He had to drive slowly over the uneven surface of the road. 2 [C] the top of a body of liquid: The surface of the lake was quite still. The stone sank below the surface of the pond. | The surface tension of a body of liquid ensures that its surface covers the smallest possible area. 3 [(the)] the part that is easily seen, not the main (hidden) part: He seems rather shy on the surface but he's quite different when you get to know him. | Beneath that apparently calm surface is a man of fierce temper. | These measures hardly scratch the surface of the problem. (=deal only with its easily seen parts, not the more important parts)
surface² v 1 [I] to come to the surface of water: Fish were surfacing to catch insects. | (fig.) Old rivalries have begun to surface again. 2 [T] to give a surface to; cover (especially a road) with hard material 3 [I] infml, often humor to wake up or get out of bed and make one's first appearance of the day: He doesn't usually surface until 10 o'clock.
surface³ adj [A] 1 being or working on the surface of the Earth or sea, rather than beneath it: Surface workers are paid less than their colleagues who work down the mines. The Americans are strengthening their surface fleet. (=not including SUBMARINES) 2 (of post) travelling by land and sea: Surface mail takes much longer than airmail. 3 having no importance or depth; SUPERFICIAL: surface difficulties, friendliness