excel

verb ex·cel \ ik-ˈsel \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of excel

excelled; excelling

transitive verb

: to be superior to : surpass in accomplishment or achievement

intransitive verb

: to be distinguishable by superiority : surpass others

excel in sports

excelled at lipreading

See excel defined for English-language learners

See excel defined for kids

Examples of excel in a Sentence

She excels everyone else in sports.
the special effects in this new sci-fi extravaganza excel any that we've seen previously

Recent Examples of excel from the Web

One of them happens to be borderline psychotic and morally malignant, but then, if Villanelle wasn’t good at her job, Eve would have no chance to excel at hers.

— rachel syme, The New Republic, "In Killing Eve, Two Women Are Fed Up and Dangerous," 6 Apr. 2018
This monitor should excel at performing tasks where color and accuracy are vital—or just watching glorious HDR videos.

— ian paul, PCWorld, "A 4K, HDR Dell UltraSharp monitor is $240 off, and comes with a $200 gift card," 6 Apr. 2018
Villanova has become the sport’s most surprising juggernaut by recruiting players skilled enough to excel against major-college competition but unpolished and eager enough to stick around.

— rachel bachman, WSJ, "Villanova’s Steak Dynasty Built With PBJ Players," 3 Apr. 2018
Students at Saint Timothy Middle School excelled at the 70th annual Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair.

— michael walsh, Courant Community, "Saint Timothy Middle School Students Excel At Connecticut Science Fair," 3 Apr. 2018
Thomas could have gone to any college after excelling in football, basketball and track and field (shot put and discus) at Brookfield Central.

— jeff potrykus, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin officials rave about Joe Thomas as a football player and friend," 14 Mar. 2018
After excelling as a soccer player early in life, Mullin decided to concentrate on basketball during middle school, joining the elite Bay State Jaguars team on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit.

— nate weitzer, BostonGlobe.com, "Just 5-foot-8, Mullin stands tall on the court," 9 Mar. 2018
When Room to Read, a global education nonprofit that promotes literacy and gender equality in Asia and Africa, arrived at her school, Nirupa was given the opportunity to excel.

— refinery29.com, "Michelle Obama Talks To R29 About The Power Of Girls' Education," 8 Mar. 2018
Coming from a long line of elite athletes, her family motivates her to excel.

— foluké tuakli, NBC News, "Seven black athletes making history at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics," 8 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'excel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of excel

Middle English excellen, from Latin excellere, from ex- + -cellere to rise, project; akin to Latin collis hill — more at hill

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

excel Synonyms

Phrases

go one better, run circles around (or run rings around);

Synonym Discussion of excel

exceed, surpass, transcend, excel, outdo, outstrip mean to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree. exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement.