Synonyms

excel

American

[ik-sel] / ɪkˈsɛl /

verb (used without object)

excelled, excelling

to surpass others or be superior in some respect or area; do extremely well.

to excel in math.

verb (used with object)

excelled, excelling

to surpass; be superior to; outdo.

He excels all other poets of his day.

Synonyms:

beat, top, exceed, transcend, eclipse, outstrip

excel British

/ ɪkˈsɛl /

verb

to be superior to (another or others); surpass
(intr; foll by in or at) to be outstandingly good or proficient

he excels at tennis

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

Excel, outdo, surpass imply being better than others or being superior in achievement. To excel is to be superior in some quality, attainment, or performance: to excel opponents at playing chess. To outdo is to make more successful effort than others: to outdo competitors in the high jump. To surpass is to go beyond others, especially in a contest as to quality or ability: to surpass one's classmates in knowledge of corporation law.

Other Word Forms

unexcelled adjective
unexcelling adjective

Etymology

Origin of excel

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French exceller, from Latin excellere, equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + -cellere “to rise high, tower” (akin to celsus “high”)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Executives who excelled at trimming costs faltered when it came to building brands, according to former executives and other employees, often leaving junior employees to increase sales of struggling products on slim budgets.

From The Wall Street Journal

AI excels at automating tedious, repetitive tasks and making important information instantly accessible.

From Barron's

The U.S. could lose its small lead if it doesn't keep excelling.

From The Wall Street Journal

The 34-year-old excelled at the City Ground last term, scoring 20 times in 40 appearances as they qualified for Europe.

From BBC

Witty and mischievous, a punster and provocateur, Man Ray excelled as a photographer, filmmaker and object-maker.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023