excellence
EHK-suh-luhns
Excellence (noun) means the quality of being extremely good at something; outstanding merit. Example: “The school's commitment to excellence shows in its students' exam results.”
noun
1
The quality of being extremely good at something; outstanding merit.
"The school's commitment to excellence shows in its students' exam results."
"He received an award for excellence in engineering after many years of careful work."
"The restaurant is known for its excellence in customer service."
How to use excellence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing outstandingly good.
Common pairings
academic excellence
a mark of excellence
strive for excellence
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Word forms
- Plural
- excellences
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The school's commitment to _____ shows in its students' exam results.
Etymology
From Old French excellence, from Latin excellentia, built on excellere (see "excel").
Synonyms
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distinction
merit
brilliance
mastery
virtuosity
eminence
superiority
pre-eminence
perfection
worth
goodness
purity
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for excellence
See all rhymes for 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.
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