What does excellent mean?
"Excellent" is an adjective used to describe something that is extremely good or of the highest quality, whether referring to work, performance, food, health, or character. It carries a strongly positive connotation and is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, making it one of the most versatile words of praise in English. A student might produce excellent exam results, a hotel might offer excellent service, or someone might be described as being in excellent health. The word can also function informally as an exclamation of approval or enthusiasm, as in "Excellent!" when agreeing to a plan. Derived from the Latin excellere, meaning "to rise above," it literally conveys the idea of standing out from the ordinary. Its derivatives — excellence, excel, and excellency — all preserve this sense of surpassing the norm, which is why excellent remains a go-to term for expressing genuine admiration without exaggeration.
Extremely good; of the highest quality or standard.
"The team delivered an excellent presentation that impressed the entire board."
Often intensified with adverbs such as 'truly', 'absolutely', or 'quite'.
An informal expression of approval, agreement, or enthusiasm.
"You've booked the tickets already? Excellent!"
More common in informal British English.
When you call something 'excellent,' you're literally saying it 'rises above' others — from the Latin excelsus, meaning 'elevated' or 'lofty.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of excellent
"Excellent" derives from the Latin verb excellere, meaning "to rise above" or "to surpass," formed from the prefix ex- ("out") and cellere ("to rise"). It entered English in the late Middle English period through Old French excellent, initially carrying the sense of surpassing others in rank or merit before broadening to mean generally outstanding in quality. It shares this Latin root with related words such as excellence, excel, and preeminent, all conveying elevation or superiority.
Related word forms
How excellent is actually used
Suitable in both formal and informal registers. As an interjection expressing approval, it is more common in informal British English.
Easily confused with excellent
'Excellent' is an adjective describing something of very high quality, while 'excellence' is a noun referring to the quality or state of being outstanding.