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 of excellent

• superb
• wonderful
• terrific
• great
• fantastic
• awesome
• lovely
• fabulous
• beautiful
• stellar
• marvelous
• prime
• fine

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

Plenty of pitchers have returned from Tommy John surgery and been excellent while pitching 150 or more innings. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

Loungers set under an arched cover make an excellent spot to catch up on your reading in the afternoon sun, while a bistro dining set overlooking the village of Ménerbes and its surrounding mountains is better than any dinner reservation, in our opinion. —Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026

There’s also the on-site Gorse Bakery, which sells excellent sourdough, blackberry buns, and rhubarb danishes. —Issy Von Simson, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026

And both require good-to-excellent credit. —Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026

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