excellent

adjective

ex·​cel·​lent ˈek-s(ə-)lənt 

1

: very good of its kind : eminently good : first-class

2

archaic : superior

excellently adverb

Synonyms

• A-OK
• A1
• awesome
• bang-up
• banner
• beautiful
• blue-chip
• blue-ribbon
• boffo
• bonny [chiefly British]
• bonnie
• boss [slang]
• brag
• brave
• bully
• bumper
• capital
• choice
• classic
• cool [slang]
• corking
• crackerjack
• cracking
• dandy
• divine
• dope [slang]
• down [slang]
• dynamite
• fab
• fabulous
• famous
• fantabulous [slang]
• fantastic
• fine
• first-class
• first-rate
• first-string
• five-star
• four-star
• frontline
• gangbusters
• gangbuster
• gilt-edged
• gilt-edge
• gone [slang]
• grand
• great
• groovy
• heavenly
• high-class
• hot
• hype [slang]
• immense
• jim-dandy
• keen
• lovely
• marvelous
• marvellous
• mean
• neat
• nifty
• noble
• number one
• No. 1
• numero uno
• out-of-sight [slang]
• par excellence
• peachy
• peachy keen
• phat [slang]
• prime
• primo [slang]
• prize
• prizewinning
• quality
• radical [slang]
• righteous [slang]
• sensational
• slick
• splendid
• stellar
• sterling
• superb
• superior
• superlative
• supernal
• swell
• terrific
• tip-top
• top
• topflight
• top-notch
• top-of-the-line
• topping [chiefly British]
• top-shelf
• unsurpassed
• wizard [chiefly British]
• wonderful

Examples of excellent in a Sentence

Her new movie has received excellent reviews.

He is an excellent role model for young men everywhere.

The car is in excellent condition.

Recent Examples on the Web

More evidence that something has gone amiss in economic perceptions: whereas most of the respondents in the Journal poll said the national economy was in poor or not-so-good shape, a majority of them said that conditions in their home state were excellent or good. —John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2024

With nearly 7 grams of fiber per 3.5 ounce serving—that’s about 4 Medjool dates—they’re an excellent source of this all-important dietary component and are known to slow digestion, keep blood sugar levels from spiking, and keep gut health in check. —Sina Petri, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2024

Brown baby bellas are an excellent source of copper, which is important for brain development. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 6 Apr. 2024

With these shoes’ snug fit and excellent traction, our tester felt comfortable navigating a variety of different surfaces. —Jessica Booth, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024

The color saturation and white balance are excellent, and the image quality is sharp. —Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024

Actual tape recordings of Crocker and her buddies recorded 30 years ago are played during the show and the actors hired to re-create their quirky personalities are excellent. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024

Often, your excellent questions inspire us to write full-length articles. —Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024

Starring an excellent Jharrel Jerome as Cootie, a 13-foot Black boy living in Oakland, Riley’s show is a coming-of-age narrative that plays with the same hyper-absurdity and silliness that Riley introduced in Sorry to Bother You. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin excellent-, excellens, from present participle of excellere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing excellent

• have it on good/excellent authority
• in (good/excellent, etc.) condition

Kids Definition

excellent

adjective

ex·​cel·​lent ˈek-s(ə-)lənt 

: very good of its kind : first-class

excellently adverb