What does excelsior mean?
Excelsior is fine wood shavings or curly wood wool traditionally used to cushion fragile goods during shipping and to stuff toys or upholstery. The word is also the Latin exclamation 'higher!' or 'still higher,' taken from the comparative of excelsus ('lofty'), and it serves as the official motto of New York State, appearing on the state flag and seal since the late eighteenth century. In everyday use today, excelsior most often refers to the packing material, though it can sound quaintly old-fashioned next to terms like wood wool. As a motto or exclamation, it carries a strongly aspirational connotation of striving upward and onward. The two senses share a single origin but live in very different worlds: one practical and industrial, the other rhetorical and inspirational.
Fine wood shavings or curled wood fibers used for packing delicate objects and for stuffing.
"The glassware was nestled in excelsior to protect it during transport."
Now somewhat old-fashioned; 'wood wool' is a common alternative term.
A Latin exclamation meaning 'higher!' or 'ever upward,' used to express aspiration or encouragement.
"With a cry of 'Excelsior!' the climbers pressed on toward the summit."
Literary and motto-like; best known from the New York State motto.
Rarely pluralized; excelsior is usually treated as a mass noun referring to the packing material collectively.
"Several grades of excelsiors were stocked by the old crating company."
"Excelsior!" isn't just packing material — it's the official motto of New York State, emblazoned on the flag since 1778, urging everyone ever upward.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of excelsior
Excelsior comes directly from Latin excelsior, the comparative form of excelsus, meaning 'loftier' or 'higher,' itself from the verb excellere, 'to rise above.' English adopted the Latin phrase as an exclamation meaning 'ever upward,' and it was famously chosen as the motto of New York State in the eighteenth century. Separately, the same word came to name the fine wood shavings used for packing. It shares its root with English words such as excel, excellence, and excellent.
How excelsior is actually used
The noun sense is somewhat dated and commercial, common in older trade and shipping contexts; modern packers more often say 'wood wool' or 'packing shavings.' The exclamatory sense is literary and motto-like, carrying an inspirational, aspirational tone.
Easily confused with excelsior
'Excel' is a verb meaning to be exceptionally good at something, while 'excelsior' is a noun meaning wood shavings used for packing (or the Latin exclamation meaning 'higher').