excel
v.v. to be exceptionally good at doing something. You use this when someone performs better than most other people in a specific area like sports or school.
v. to be exceptionally proficient or to surpass others in a particular activity or subject. Intransitive when used generally; takes the preposition 'at' or 'in' when specifying the field of achievement.
She always managed to excel in her science classes.
The company continues to excel at providing customer support even during peak holiday seasons.
While many students struggle with abstract mathematics, some naturally excel by identifying underlying patterns that others overlook during the initial stages of instruction.
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.
Intransitive; commonly followed by the prepositions 'at' or 'in' plus a noun or gerund.
He excels to play pianoHe excels at playing pianoExcel is followed by 'at' or 'in' plus a gerund, not a 'to' infinitive.