NYT Dictionary

EXCELLENT

/ˈɛk.sə.lənt/

AdjectiveAdverbEX-cel-lentex-cel-lent · 3 syllablesGrade 3

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2020, 2022

Meaning

Having excelled, having surpassed.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

From Middle English excellent, from Old French excellent, from Latin excellēns (“elevated, exalted”), present participle of excellō (“elevate, exult”), equivalent to excel + -ent.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

number oneaceadmirableamazingawe-inspiringawesomebadassbroyalbang onbang-up

Antonyms

poorterriblebadinferior

NYT Puzzle Appearances

No published puzzle dates on file for this word yet. It is part of the official NYT Spelling Bee word list for 2019, 2020, 2022.