Excellent: Definition, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：extremely good (excellent)

excellent 🔊

/ˈɛksələnt/

adj.

Used to describe something of the very highest quality or standard; extremely good.

Excellent student holding A+ test paper with gold star

extremely good 🔊

➕

/ɪkˈstriːmli ɡʊd/

adj.

Describing something of the very highest standard or quality; exceptionally well done.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'excellere' ('ex-' out + 'cellere' to rise), meaning to rise above others.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'ex' (out) + 'cell' (a small unit) + 'ent' – something that stands out from the rest.

📖 Example

The teacher wrote "excellent work!" on top of my math test because I got a perfect score. 🔊 The teacher wrote "excellent work!" on top of my math test because I got a perfect score.

🔗 Collocations

excellent job – very good performance or result

excellent quality – superior standard of manufacture or material

excellent opportunity – a highly favorable chance

🔄 Synonyms

outstanding (adj.) – remarkably good or excellent

superb (adj.) – of the highest quality; splendid

exceptional (adj.) – unusually good; outstanding

🚫 Antonyms

poor (adj.) – of low or inferior quality

terrible (adj.) – very bad or unpleasant

inferior (adj.) – lower in quality or worth

🌱 Derivatives

excellence (n.) – the quality of being outstanding or extremely good

excellently (adv.) – in an extremely good manner

excel (v.) – to be exceptionally good at something

📖 Cultural Story

Originating in Latin 'excellens' (present participle of excellere), the word entered English via Old French. It has been used since the 15th century to denote superiority in quality, commonly seen in academic grading and product reviews.