excellent

adjective

ex·​cel·​lent ˈek-s(ə-)lənt How to pronounce excellent (audio)
1
: very good of its kind : eminently good : first-class
2
archaic : superior
excellently adverb

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
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During informational interviews, asking for ideas of great places to keep an eye on is an excellent way to add to your list. Rebecca Fraser-Thill, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025 Give your wooden nickel to the mixologist, take your pick between La Babia, an excellent margarita, or Three Emmas, grab a book off the shelf, and take a seat. Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2025 The enchanting espionage comedy flaunts an excellent Benicio del Toro as a 1950s industrialist, who, after surviving an attempt on his life, names his estranged daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton) as heir to his empire. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025 Amazon The latest MacBook Air (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is an excellent, lightweight laptop. Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for excellent

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of excellent was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Excellent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excellent. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

excellent

adjective
ex·​cel·​lent ˈek-s(ə-)lənt How to pronounce excellent (audio)
: very good of its kind : first-class
excellently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on excellent

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