(usually initial capital letter) Also Excellence. a title of honor given to certain high officials, as governors, ambassadors, and Roman Catholic bishops and archbishops (preceded by his, your, etc.).
(usually initial capital letter) a person so entitled.
(usually initial capital letter) the title of the governor general of Canada while in office.
Usually excellencies. excellent qualities or features.
a title used to address or refer to a high-ranking official, such as an ambassador or governor
RC Church a title of bishops and archbishops in many non-English-speaking countries
1275–1325; Middle English excellencie < Latin excellentia. See excellent, -ency
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"It's just another example of our partnership. And I hope you know, your excellency, that you can count on us."
From Barron's • Oct. 11, 2025
“The document shows Brazil has fulfilled with excellency all the rigid demands of the bidding process,” Brazilian soccer confederation president Ednaldo Rodrigues said.
From Seattle Times • May 15, 2024
“I would request your excellency to kindly convey this small message to the world leaders and big and rich nations to help and save our tiny village from global warming,” she wrote.
From Washington Times • Sep. 26, 2022
In office, he discarded the title "excellency" and opened up the Blue House to the public.
From Reuters • Oct. 26, 2021
But he is alive, and may live, your excellency.
From My Lady Rotha A Romance by Weyman, Stanley J.
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.
