Excel
/ɪkˈsɛl/noun
To be superior or outstanding in quality, ability, or achievement.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin ex- (“out of”) + celsus (“high”), so its oldest sense is literally about being lifted above the rest.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kel-
“to be high; to cover, conceal”
Latin
Latin
celsus
“high, elevated, lofty”
Latin
Latin
excellere
“to rise up, tower over, be eminent”
Old French
Old French
exceler
“to surpass, be superior”
Middle English
English
excellen
“to surpass others in quality or rank”
Modern English
English
excel
“to be exceptionally good or superior”