adjective
Other Word 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.
They would also be able to replace Jones, who has an excellent fitness record, if her injury was serious.
From BBC • May 20, 2026
Stir for 30 seconds, just until fragrant and the kitchen smells excellent.
From Salon • May 19, 2026
In other words, light is excellent for carrying information quickly and efficiently, but it struggles with the switching operations needed for computing.
From Science Daily • May 19, 2026
The excellent Met chorus, a crucial and almost omnipresent element in the musical fabric, acted like another instrument in this brilliantly textured tapestry.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026
Ella eyed him, trying to figure out what was so special about him aside from his last name and excellent hair.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
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.
