ENGLISH
REFERENCE

excelled

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ɪkˈsɛɫd// UK //ɛksˈɛld// ex·celled

v. to be exceptionally good at something. You use this when you perform better than others in a specific activity like sports or school.

v. to surpass others in performance, achievement, or quality in a specific field. The past tense of 'excel'.


SIMPLE

She excelled in her science classes last year.

CONTEXTUAL

The athlete excelled at the regional championships, breaking two long-standing records in the process.

COMPLEX

While he struggled with the theoretical components of the course, he excelled during the practical application phase, demonstrating a natural aptitude for the machinery.

Synonyms
Usage

Intransitive when followed by a prepositional phrase, typically using 'in' or 'at'.

Pitfall

He excelled himself in the examHe excelled in the examWhile 'excel oneself' exists as a reflexive idiom meaning to do better than one's own previous best, learners often use it when they simply mean 'to do very well'.

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