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definitions

excel

[ ik-sel ]
/ ɪkˈsɛl /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR excel ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), ex·celled, ex·cel·ling.

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

verb (used with object), ex·celled, ex·cel·ling.

to surpass; be superior to; outdo: He excels all other poets of his day.

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RELATED WORDS

shine, transcend, outdo, exceed, cap, beat, top, wax, eclipse, better, outshine, outstrip, pass, surmount, best, predominate, outrival

Nearby words

  1. excavator,
  2. exceed,
  3. exceedance,
  4. exceeding,
  5. exceedingly,
  6. excellence,
  7. excellency,
  8. excellent,
  9. excelsior,
  10. excelsior springs

Origin of excel

1400–50; late Middle English excellen < Latin excellere, equivalent to ex- ex-1 + -cellere to rise high, tower (akin to celsus high)
SYNONYMS FOR excel
2. outstrip, eclipse, transcend, exceed, top, beat. 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.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR excel ON THESAURUS.COM
Related formsun·ex·celled, adjectiveun·ex·cel·ling, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for excel

British Dictionary definitions for excel

excel

/ (ɪkˈsɛl) /

verb -cels, -celling or -celled

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

Word Origin for excel

C15: from Latin excellere to rise up
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
Word Origin and History for excel

excel

v.

c.1400, from Latin excellere "to rise, surpass, be eminent," from ex- "out from" (see ex-) + -cellere "rise high, tower," related to celsus "high, lofty, great," from PIE root *kel- "to rise, be elevated" (see hill). Related: Excelled; excelling.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper