excellence
13 synonyms and 2 antonyms for excellence, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The quality of being extremely good at something; outstanding merit.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
virtuosity
pre-eminence
Antonyms
How to use excellence
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
academic excellence
a mark of excellence
strive for excellence
Etymology
From Old French excellence, from Latin excellentia, built on excellere (see "excel").
Full origin of excellence →Frequently asked questions
What does “excellence” mean?
The word “excellence” means the quality of being extremely good at something; outstanding merit. In plain terms, being outstandingly good.
How do you pronounce “excellence”?
“Excellence” is pronounced EHK-suh-luhns (/ˈɛksələns/ in IPA).
How do you use “excellence” in a sentence?
Here is “excellence” used in a sentence: “The restaurant is known for its excellence in customer service.”
What is another word for “excellence”?
Words with a similar meaning to “excellence” include superiority, pre-eminence, perfection, worth, goodness and purity.
What part of speech is “excellence”?
“Excellence” is a noun.
Where does the word “excellence” come from?
The word “excellence” comes from Latin. From Old French excellence, from Latin excellentia, built on excellere (see "excel").
Is “excellence” a common word?
“Excellence” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between excellence and perfection?
Perfection means being entirely without flaw, an absolute state, while excellence means being extremely good — outstanding merit rather than flawlessness. That is why organisations speak of striving for excellence: it names a consistently achievable high standard rather than an impossible one.
What is the difference between excellence and Excellency?
Excellence is the quality of being extremely good at something. Excellency, usually capitalised and preceded by "Your" or "His/Her", is an honorific title used for certain high officials, such as ambassadors. Swapping one for the other is a common error.
