excellent

ex-cel-lent · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Extremely good; of the highest quality or standard.

  2. 2.

    Used as an exclamation to express approval or satisfaction.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    in excellent condition — in very good state, especially regarding physical objects
  • •
    excellent choice — approval of a selection someone has made
  • •
    par excellence — the best example of something (from French)
  • •
    Your Excellency — a formal title of address for ambassadors and high officials

Related words

Antonyms: inferior, mediocre, poor, terrible
See also: great, outstanding, superb, wonderful
Synonyms: exceptional, first-rate, outstanding, superb, wonderful

Etymology

From Old French excellent, from Latin excellens (genitive excellentis), present participle of excellere meaning "to surpass, be superior," from ex- "out of" + cellere "to rise high." The word has been used in English since the 14th century to describe things of superior quality.