adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of excellent
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin excellent-, stem of excellēns, present participle of excellere excel
Explanation
Something excellent is very good, great, or high quality: this is one of the best compliments around. Words like extraordinary and exceptional are similar in meaning to excellent. This is a strong word used mainly for things, people, and actions that are much better than average. A B+ on a test isn't bad, but an A is excellent. In basketball, making an all-star team is excellent. Being excellent is difficult and people tend to admire it. People use excellent in another, less specific way sometimes. If you want to say "Cool" or "Good" you might say "Excellent!"
Vocabulary lists containing excellent
Thumbs Up: Synonyms for "Good"
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Beowulf vocabulary
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Commonly Misspelled Words, List 5
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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.
"Now we've got something that can really show our unity as Ugandans, and they are trying to make it criminal," said one attendee this week, Ruth Excellent Mirembe, 25, waving a flag.
From Barron's • Jan. 11, 2026
Excellent footballer, took over the game in the second half when they were 1-0 down.
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2025
Excellent athlete and combines the highest level upside and ultra-competitive traits.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2025
Excellent children’s content by one of the great cultural ambassadors of our time, Snoop Dogg.
From Slate • Dec. 28, 2024
I twisted and craned to catch an Excellent, Very Good, Good, or Satisfactory on someone’s paper.
From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
