Models and supermodels are a critical part of the fashion industry. However, most people use these terms interchangeably because of the assumption that they refer to the same thing. If you keenly follow through with this supermodel vs model discussion, you’ll know the differences between these words.
A supermodel is a highly paid and famous fashion model or a fashion model that has attained celebrity status, like the Hadids, Kendal Jenner, and Tyra Banks. In contrast, a model is a person who is the subject of artwork /fashion in the medium of photography painting/drawing.
Supermodel and model are related words that people often use to refer to the same thing. However, these words have some differences. Read on to learn more about their differences and meanings.
Definitions Of Supermodel And Model
You have probably used these words at least once in your lifetime. However, do you know what these words mean? Such words are quite common in the English vocabulary. However, their popularity usually comes with a downside: most people do not care to learn their technical meanings.
For most, they need to understand the contexts in which they can use these words. However, learning word definitions would not hurt. So, let us find the definitions of supermodel and model as the foundation of this comparison article.
Definitions Of Supermodel
A supermodel is a highly paid fashion model with a global reputation or fame, often involved in the commercial modeling culture. So, a supermodel is a type of model. For instance, the first names that come to your mind when you think of international models are the likes of Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks, who are supermodels.
Another source defines a supermodel as a fashion model that has attained celebrity status internationally or globally. This term became popular in the 1990s.
Definitions Of Model
Model is a popular word with multiple definitions. The core definitions that bring up its relationship with the word “supermodel” are:
A model is someone that serves as the subject of an art or fashion work in photography, painting, or drawing. For example, the face or cover of a fashion magazine is as much a model as the subject of an art piece for the museum.
Another fashion-related definition of a model is “someone, usually an attractive female, employed to showcase items or goods in a public setting. For example, the individuals that showcase prizes on a TV show or demonstrate cars in an automobile show are models.
Non-fashion Related Definitions of Model
A model is “a representation of a physical object. It is usually a miniature version of the actual object, like airplane models.
A model is also “a simple representation that explains the functioning of a real-world system, object, or event.” For example, “Scientists use computer weather models to predict the impacts of harsh weather elements like hurricanes.”
Another definition of a model is “a type, design, or style of an item,” like an engine or vehicle model.
A model refers to “a structural design of a complex system,” like a business model. In manufacturing, a model is “an product identifier assigned by its manufacturer,” like a serial number or model number.
Another source defines a model as “a successful example, usually of a behavior or characteristic, to be emulated, with or without adjustments,” like a model of virtue.
In logic, a model is “an interpretation function that assigns a true value to an atomic proposition” or “an interpretation that makes a specific sentence true.”
In medicine, a model is “an animal used to study a human disease,” like the subject of research. In software architecture, a model is “a software application using the model-view-controller pattern, or parts of the application that manages the data.”
As an adjective, a model refers to “something exemplary that’s worthy of emulation,” like a model character.
As a verb, model means “to display for others to see,” especially regarding wearing clothing while performing fashion model roles.” For example, “Jane will model the designs at the exhibition.” Another meaning as a verb is “to use as an object in creating a forecast,” like data modeling.
How To Properly Use Supermodel And Model In A Sentence
Model is a complex term with several definitions. However, the definitions are not hard to master because they are simple and most of them are related. On the other hand, supermodel is a simple word with a straightforward definition you won’t struggle to recall. So, now that you know what these words mean, are you ready to use them? Let us look at some additional usage tips:
How To Use The Word Supermodel
Use this word as a noun to refer to a famous and highly-paid fashion model. For example, “Kendal Jenner is one of the most famous supermodels in the world.”
Note: you can also spell this word as “super-model” or “super model.” Both spellings are correct to use in sentences.
How To Use The Word Model
You can use this word as a noun, adjective, or verb. For instance, you can use this word as a noun to refer to:
- A drawn representation of a person or an item
- A miniature representation or an object
- An example worth imitating or emulating
- A person that displays clothes by wearing them
- A person that displays products for the public
- A particular design or version of an object or product
- A concept based on a premise
- A beautiful woman or man with fashion-industry standard features
On the other hand, use this word as a verb in sentences to represent the following:
- To make a representation of something
- To derive from another source
- To display something, like fashion apparel, for others to see
- To make a design
- To be an embodiment or symbol of something
- To pose for a painting, drawing, or photograph
Also, use this word as an adjective in these contexts:
- Being worthy of imitation
- Being a representative of something
- Without blame
- Free from flaws
- The best of its kind
Other Word Comparison Posts
Supermodel Vs Model: Understanding Their Histories
The first recorded use of the word “model” was in the 1570s, with the definition “likeness made to scale or architect’s design sets.” The word comes from French “modelle” a variation of the 16th century Modern French “modele” from Italian “modello,” meaning “a mold.” This word also has roots in Vulgar Latin and Latin from the words “modellus” and “modulus,” respectively.
The meaning “a standard for imitation” came from the 1630s, while the definition “representation of a design” came up in 1900. The word’s applications in the fashion sector came about in 1690. On the other hand, the term “fashion model” was first recorded in 1904.
In contrast, the word “supermodel” came about in 1978 by combining the words “super” and “model.” However, its applications in the fashion sector skyrocketed in the 1990s.
List Of Examples Of Supermodel And Model Use In Sentences
Now you can use these words in sentences. Examples in sentences are:
Example sentences of the word supermodel
- The supermodel appeared in the new Marvel movie.
- June paid thousands of dollars to have the supermodel in his music video.
- The Hadid sisters are arguably the most famous international supermodels.
- Victoria’s Secret fashion shows brought up some of the world’s most famous supermodels.
- Faith dreams of becoming a supermodel.
Example sentences of the word model
- The engineers constructed a model of the engine for tests.
- The scientists used the model to run tests in the laboratory.
- Hanna will model the clothes for her parents.
- The model received a hundred dollars from showcasing the products.
- Kelvin married a model from the popular game show.
Conclusion
Simply put, a model is a person that showcases fashion apparel or products or the subject of an artistic work, usually represented in photographs or paintings. On the other hand, a supermodel is a globally famous and highly-paid fashion model with celebrity status. Now you can use these words confidently and correctly.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.