# excellence

/ˈɛksəɫəns/ (US) · /ˈɛksələns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/excellence
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. high quality

noun · CEFR B2

the quality of being outstanding or extremely good.

For teachers: the state or quality of being exceptionally good; superior merit or virtue.

- The school is known for its academic excellence and high test scores.
- The university has established a global reputation for research excellence, consistently attracting the most prestigious grants in the field of biotechnology.

Usage: Usually uncountable when referring to a general quality.

### 2. a title of respect

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a title used to show great respect to important people like ambassadors or church leaders.

For teachers: a title of honour or respect addressed to high-ranking officials; more frequently encountered as 'Excellency'.

- The letter was addressed to His Excellence, the Ambassador of France.
- Protocol dictates that the visiting dignitary be addressed as Your Excellence throughout the duration of the formal state dinner.

Teaching tip: In modern English, 'Excellency' is much more common than 'Excellence' when used as a formal title.

## Examples

- The school is known for its academic excellence.
- The restaurant received an award for excellence in customer service and food quality.
- True excellence in the arts requires not only raw talent but also a disciplined commitment to refining one's craft over many years.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.