adjective
Other Word Forms
- excellently adverb
- superexcellent adjective
- superexcellently adverb
- unexcellent adjective
- unexcellently adverb
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.
Though its performance in the quarter was excellent and guidance was in line with high expectations, the company raised its 2026 capex outlook to as much as $145 billion.
From Barron's • May 1, 2026
"This result shows that our long-term strategic planning has paid off," Professor Jöns said, adding: "The combination of excellent materials science, nanofabrication and optical quantum technology was the key to our success."
From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2026
As Poe, the excellent Boullet — who was Anne Frank for Disney+ — has feeling enough for both of them.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026
Peterson had already played there many times by 1960, and he and his manager-producer, Norman Granz, realized that with its comparatively small space and excellent acoustics Baker’s was perfect for a live recording.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026
Natalie was an excellent swimmer, but nothing had prepared her for diving into a hurricane.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
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.
