Inklingo

sobresaliente

so-bre-sa-LYEN-te/soβɾesaˈljente/

sobresaliente means outstanding in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

outstanding

Also: A grade, excellent
Adjectivem or fB1
Spain
A single bright gold star shining brilliantly among several dull grey stars.

📝 In Action

Sacó un sobresaliente en el examen final.

A2

He got an A on the final exam.

Su actuación en la película fue sobresaliente.

B1

Her performance in the movie was outstanding.

Buscamos a un candidato con capacidades sobresalientes.

B2

We are looking for a candidate with outstanding abilities.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • excelente (excellent)
  • magnífico (magnificent)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • alumno sobresalientestraight-A student
  • resultado sobresalienteoutstanding result

protruding

Also: jutting, salient
Adjectivem or fC1
A single wooden peg sticking out significantly from a flat wooden wall.

📝 In Action

Ten cuidado con esa piedra sobresaliente en el sendero.

B2

Be careful with that protruding rock on the path.

El balcón es el elemento más sobresaliente de la fachada.

C1

The balcony is the most jutting element of the facade.

Sus pómulos sobresalientes le dan un aspecto aristocrático.

C2

Her prominent cheekbones give her an aristocratic look.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • prominente (prominent)
  • saliente (protruding)

Antonyms

  • hundido (sunken)

Common Collocations

  • partes sobresalientesprojecting parts
  • roca sobresalientejutting rock

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "sobresaliente" in Spanish:

a gradeexcellentjuttingoutstandingprotrudingsalient

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: sobresaliente

Question 1 of 3

If a student in Spain gets a 10/10, what is their grade called?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
sobresalir(to stand out)Verb
sobresalientemente(outstandingly)Adverb
saliente(projecting/outgoing)Adjective
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

Combination of the Spanish prefix 'sobre-' (meaning over or above) and 'saliente' (the sticking out part of the verb 'salir'). It literally describes something that 'jumps out over' everything else.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: soprassaliente

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'sobresaliente' the same as an 'A' in the USA?

Yes, it is the closest equivalent to an 'A' or 'A+' grade in English-speaking academic systems.

Can I use this word to describe a person?

Absolutely! You can use it to describe someone who is exceptionally talented or skilled at what they do.

Does the word change if I'm talking about a girl?

No. Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'sobresaliente' is the same for both masculine and feminine nouns.