What does souped mean?
Souped is an informal adjective for a vehicle, engine, or machine that has been modified to deliver greater speed, power, or performance. It arose from the older expression “soup up,” meaning to increase something’s power or intensity, and is now especially associated with customized cars and motorcycles. The most familiar form is “souped-up,” which functions as a compound adjective before a noun, as in “a souped-up engine.” Although the word can imply impressive or deliberate mechanical enhancement, its meaning may sometimes suggest exaggerated customization rather than a practical improvement. Outside automotive and enthusiast contexts, it can be applied more broadly to an upgraded product or an intensified version of something. In careful writing, a plainer term such as “modified,” “boosted,” or “high-performance” may be preferable.
adjectiveSouped means having increased power, speed, or performance, especially in a car or other vehicle. It is an informal term derived from the phrase “soup up.”
- Having increased power, speed, or performance, especially in a vehicle or engine.
"The souped-up car reached the finish line before the others."
"His souped-up motorcycle drew admiring looks at the rally."
"The company introduced a souped-up version of its popular handheld device."
A “souped-up” vehicle gets its extra power from a tradition that began with slang for making something more exciting or intense.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does souped come from?
The word comes from the verb phrase “soup up,” which originally meant to make something more powerful or exciting; “soup” in this expression may relate to the idea of increasing something’s strength or flavor. “Souped” became established as an adjective in the mid-20th century, particularly in relation to hot rods and other customized vehicles. The term belongs to a family of expressive English compounds in which an ordinary noun is used to suggest a sharp or dramatic increase in intensity.
How souped is actually used
Informal and especially associated with North American automotive culture. It is commonly written as a compound adjective with a hyphen, as in “souped-up engine.”
Easily confused with souped
Souped describes a vehicle or machine that has been made faster or more powerful, whereas soaped means covered or treated with soap.