supe
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Clipping of supernumerary (“an extra or walk-on”).
Register: dated, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
John Wilkes would go south to Richmond, to join Ford's stock company at the old Marshall Theatre for the 1858–59 season. More work as a supe awaited “J. B. Wilkes,” but his wages this time would be better than in Philadelphia: $440 for the season, the same as his older brother earned in a week.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “supe” mean?
Clipping of supernumerary (“an extra or walk-on”).
Is “supe” formal or informal?
supe is generally dated, slang.