Words / C1

ik-SEL/ɪkˈsel/

To excel is to be very good at something: excel at public speaking, excel in science. Shine is informal; outstanding is the adjective idea; be good at is everyday and weaker. Excellence is the noun; excellent is the adjective (weaker and more common than excel). The pattern is excel at / in. In speech, be outstanding at is enough. Excel is stronger than “quite good.” Do not confuse the verb with the spreadsheet program (capital E in that name).

Meaning

To be very good at something (excel at / in).

Examples

• “She excels at public speaking.”
• “She excels at public speaking and still scripts the first minute.”
• “Pupils who excel in one paper can still need support in another; talent is not a blanket.”

Good to know

excel at / in. Be outstanding. Everyday: be very good at. Noun: excellence. Adjective: excellent (commoner, often weaker). Not the software unless named.

Near in meaning

shine

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