blue-ribbon vs superior

blue-ribbon is not a noun while superior is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
blue-ribbon	No	Yes	No	No
superior	Yes	Yes	No	No

blue-ribbon (noun)	superior (noun)
	a character or symbol set or printed or written above and immediately to one side of another character
	one of greater rank or station or quality
	the head of a religious community
	a combatant who is able to defeat rivals

blue-ribbon (adjective)	superior (adjective)
selected or chosen for special qualifications	written or printed above and to one side of another character
	of or characteristic of high rank or importance
	of high or superior quality or performance
	having an orbit farther from the sun than the Earth's orbit
	(sometimes followed by `to') not subject to or influenced by
	having a higher rank
	(often followed by `to') above being affected or influenced by