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

Salah then surged forward towards the edge of the box before playing an excellent pass with the outside of his left boot. —Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025

That is exactly what happened for Olivia Smith’s excellent opener as Marie Hobinger hit a defence-splitting pass in to Canada’s 20-year-old rising star. —Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025

If so, Hamlin, in particular, is excellent at managing his tires. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025

While The Rock is widely considered one of the most excellent talkers in wrestling history, this sometimes led fans to undervalue his wrestling skills. —David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025

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