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.
"Many skilled tradespeople - electricians, roofers, installation specialists, technicians and craftspeople - are earning excellent incomes and are desperately needed by society," Van der Helm explains.
From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026
Growing up, I was a Pixar evangelist, obsessed with the studio’s excellent output.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026
But people who have worked alongside Tortorella for decades say that his hard-line approach is what makes him an excellent coach.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
Jon called it an "excellent opportunity, very well paid".
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
The repairmen Toos had found—trained under Father—were excellent.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
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.
