excel

[ ik-sel ]

verb (used without object)

, ex·celled, ex·cel·ling.

1. to surpass others or be superior in some respect or area; do extremely well:

   to excel in math.

verb (used with object)

, ex·celled, ex·cel·ling.

1. to surpass; be superior to; outdo:

   He excels all other poets of his day.

   Synonyms: beat, top, exceed, transcend, eclipse, outstrip

excel

/ ɪkˈsɛl /

verb

1. to be superior to (another or others); surpass
2. intr; foll by in or at to be outstandingly good or proficient

   he excels at tennis

Other Words From

• unex·celled adjective
• unex·celling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of excel¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French exceller, from Latin excellere, equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + -cellere “to rise high, tower” (akin to celsus “high”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of excel¹

C15: from Latin excellere to rise up

Synonym Study

Excel, outdo, surpass imply being better than others or being superior in achievement. To excel is to be superior in some quality, attainment, or performance: to excel opponents at playing chess. To outdo is to make more successful effort than others: to outdo competitors in the high jump. To surpass is to go beyond others, especially in a contest as to quality or ability: to surpass one's classmates in knowledge of corporation law.

Example Sentences

The drill and impact driver themselves are powered by brushless motors and are designed to be lighter and more compact than traditional alternatives, which allow them to excel in tight spaces and during repetitive jobs.

From Popular-Science

Settings, where a smaller-than-average toaster oven might excel, include small apartment kitchens, auxiliary kitchens, entertaining spaces, RVs, offices, bars, and more.

From Popular-Science

Fullbright, a video game studio based in Portland, has long excelled at weaving compelling stories that focus on places and the people that inhabited them.

From Washington Post

The Swiss company has excelled in producing computer products since 1981, and it has emerged as a leading manufacturer of affordable mechanical keyboards with a wider range of choices than gamer-focused Corsair.

From Popular-Science

It was an outlet for us to excel and deal with our frustration, and all that.

From Ozy

Life seemed to have little meaning; a need to excel was almost gone.

From The Daily Beast

Can it be exported to Excel, or a comma-separated file, for instance?

From The Daily Beast

In her own way, Woodley is inspiring young women to succeed and excel.

From The Daily Beast

One of her deputy chiefs of staff keeps track of the tracker, an Excel spreadsheet, she says.

From The Daily Beast

It made my journey a longer one, but I really wanted to excel in the theater.

From The Daily Beast

English connoisseurs suffer those of no other nation to excel them in their collections.

From Project Gutenberg

At his best period, however, his instruments are of rare beauty and merit, and equal or perhaps excel those of Stradiuarius.

From Project Gutenberg

All decorative painting, carving, and inlaying is done by them; in short, they excel in all ingenious mechanical arts.

From Project Gutenberg

Great actions command admiration, and none of modern times excel those of the patriot exile, Parson Brownlow, of Tennessee.

From Project Gutenberg

The English excel in pantomime as much as the French in comedy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• come through
• outdo
• shine
• transcend