excel

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   distinguish oneself

   We excelled in math because we practiced a lot.

2. 2
   verb

   To surpass someone or something; to be better or do better than someone or something.

   I excelled everyone else with my exam results.

3. 3
   verb

   To be much better than others.

   But it is as a destroyer of grasshoppers that the dickcissel excels.

4. 4
   verb

   To exceed, to go beyond.

   She opened; but to shut / Excelled her power: the gates wide open stood […]

5. 5
   name

   Microsoft Excel, a spreadsheet application software program written and distributed by Microsoft.

   “Do you know Excel?” ¶ “No.” ¶ “Could you learn?” ¶ “Probably not. I find it very difficult to learn things I don't already know.” Then, remembering the advice that I try to sell myself, I added, “But I'm sure I'd pick it up eventually.”

Etymology

From Middle English excellen, from Old French exceller, from Latin excellere, excelsum; ex (“out”) + *cellō, an unattested verb root found in culmen (“height, top”); Compare French exceller. See also culminate, column.