Pronunciations (3)
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/ɪkˈsɛl/
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/ɛkˈsɛl/
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ɪkˈsɛl
Verb
To surpass someone or something; to be better or do better than someone or something.
Usage- Transitive
- Synonyms
- Examples
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I excelled everyone else with my exam results.
Compositions which follow the style of Nissi Belzer's creations in structure but which excel them in length.
More examples (1)
La Rochefoucauld, the French philosopher, said: "If you want enemies, excel your friends; but if you want friends, let your friends excel you." Why is that true? Because when our friends excel us, that gives them a feeling of importance; but when we excel them, that gives them a feeling of inferiority and arouses envy and jealousy.
To do much better than usual.
Usage- Reflexive
- Examples
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Everyone agreed Magnus really excelled himself this tournament.
To be much better than others.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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But it is as a destroyer of grasshoppers that the dickcissel excels.
More examples (3)
1924: Aristotle, Metaphysics. Translated by W. D. Ross. Nashotah, Wisconsin, USA: The Classical Library, 2001. Book 1, Part 2.. If, then, there is something in what the poets say, and jealousy is natural to the divine power, it would probably occur in this case above all, and all who excelled in this knowledge would be unfortunate.
Lescott gave his finest England performance alongside his former Everton team-mate Phil Jagielka, who also excelled despite playing with a fractured toe, while Parker was given a deserved standing ovation when he was substituted late on.
From Rosie the Riveter to Coco Channel^([sic – meaning Coco Chanel]) (in pants!), from Amelia Earhart to the quaintrelle (the female dandy), change in women's dress has symbolized everything from the right and need to work outside the home to wearing pants as a fashion statement to excelling at a profession (even as an aviatrix) to once again claiming the right to cultivate life's pleasures.
To exceed, to go beyond.
Usage- Archaic
- Rare
- Transitive
- Examples
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She opened; but to shut / Excelled her power: the gates wide open stood […]
I reason, we could die : / The best vitality / Cannot excel decay; / But what of that?
Verb
distinguish oneself
- Broader terms
- Examples
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She excelled in math