excel

verb

ex·​cel ik-ˈsel 

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

Synonyms

• exceed
• surpass
• better
• eclipse
• top

Choose the Right Synonym for 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.

exceed the speed limit

surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.

the book surpassed our expectations

transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits.

transcended the values of their culture

excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others.

excels in mathematics

outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.

outdid herself this time

outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.

outstripped other firms in sales

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 on the Web

Chinese engineers excel at copying and refining Western advances, but true disruptive invention remains harder to come by. —Rebecca A. Fannin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025

At best, given their cap structure, the Bills can only afford to keep one of Kincaid or Knox past 2026, and that might even get fast-forwarded to this offseason should the Hawes’ arrival continue to excel. —Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

The Indiana Teacher of the Year program is the state’s top honor for teachers and recognizes current educators who are excelling in their field while encouraging others to join the profession. —Caroline Beck, IndyStar, 1 Oct. 2025

This is a professional-level camera that also excels in other photography styles and has 8K video capability. —Harry Bennett, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing excel

• excel oneself

Rhymes for excel

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

excel

verb

ex·​cel ik-ˈsel 

excelled; excelling

: to do or be better than others : surpass

a student who excels in sports

excels her brother at tennis