excellence

[ek-suh-luhns]

noun

1. the fact or state of excelling; superiority; eminence.

   his excellence in mathematics.

   Synonyms: distinction, transcendence, preeminence

2. an excellent quality or feature.

   Use of herbs is one of the excellences of French cuisine.

   Synonyms: virtue, merit
   Antonyms: inferiority

3. (usually initial capital letter),  excellency.

excellence

/ ˈɛksələns /

noun

1. the state or quality of excelling or being exceptionally good; extreme merit; superiority

2. an action, characteristic, feature, etc, in which a person excels

Other Word Forms

• superexcellence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of excellence¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin excellentia; equivalent to excel + -ence

Example Sentences

Driving along the 71 Freeway toward the Inland Empire, you pass Chino Hills High and immediately think of the Ball brothers and the greatest season of high school basketball excellence.

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Flanker Guy Pepper has taken his own shot with four starts of understated excellence this autumn.

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The simplicity with which the goal was created exemplified Forest's excellence and Liverpool's lack of heart and intensity.

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“What we advocate for in ‘31 Minutos’ is artistic excellence from Chile,” Díaz adds.

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For many, it's about striving for excellence or working tirelessly to reach the highest standard.

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Related Words

• greatness 
• merit 
• perfection 
• purity 
• quality 
• supremacy 
• virtue