excellent
Extremely good; meeting or exceeding a very high standard.
Word facts
Definition
Excellent means very good — so good that it stands out from the average. When something is excellent, it meets or exceeds a high standard. It is a word of genuine praise, stronger than 'good' and close to 'outstanding' in meaning.
Usage: Excellent is used as an adjective (excellent work) and sometimes as an interjection to express approval: 'Excellent!' In formal writing, avoid making it comparative with 'more' — use 'superior' or 'outstanding' instead.
Example sentences
- 1
The restaurant was known for its excellent food and genuinely attentive service.
- 2
She received an excellent score on every section of the entrance exam.
- 3
His excellent teamwork helped the group finish the project two days ahead of schedule.
Word family
From Latin excellentem ('superior, distinguished'), from excellere ('to rise above, to surpass'). Related to 'excel' — something excellent has risen above the expected level.
Excellent contains the word 'excel'. Something excellent has excelled — it has risen above everything else.
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FAQ
Questions people ask
How many syllables does excellent have?
Excellent has 3 syllables: ex-cel-lent. The stress is on the first syllable: EK-sel-ent.
What is the noun form of excellent?
The noun form is excellence. Example: They had a reputation for excellence in customer care.
What is the verb form of excellent?
The verb form is excel. Example: She excels at mathematics.
Is excellently a real word?
Yes. Excellently is the adverb form. Example: He performed excellently under pressure.