A2adjective1K

Excellent

UK /["/ˈeksələnt/"]/US /["/ˈeksələnt/"]/

Definition

extremely good

In simple words: very good or great

Examples

  • Her performance in the play was excellent and received a standing ovation.
  • The food at that restaurant is always excellent, making it a popular choice among locals.
  • He gave an excellent presentation that impressed all of his colleagues.
  • I received excellent service at the hotel during my stay.
  • You did an excellent job on your exam, achieving the highest score in the class.

Usage notes

Use 'excellent' to describe something that is of very high quality. It is appropriate in both spoken and written English. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts where simpler terms might be more fitting.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'excel' in school when you do very well.

Collocations

  • appear
  • be
  • look
  • most
  • really
  • truly
  • at
  • for

Synonyms

  • superb
  • fantastic
  • outstanding
  • remarkable
  • great

Antonyms

  • poor
  • bad
  • substandard

Common mistakes

  • Using 'excellent' in a negative context (e.g. 'That was an excellent mistake').
  • Confusing 'excellent' with 'excellently' (adverb form) in the wrong context.
  • Overusing it when 'good' or 'fine' would suffice.