Excellent vs. Excellence — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 23, 2023
"Excellent" is an adjective describing superior quality or performance, while "Excellence" is a noun referring to the state of being outstanding or superior.
Difference Between Excellent and Excellence
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Both "excellent" and "excellence" are related to superiority or high quality, but they occupy different grammatical roles and convey slightly different nuances. "Excellent" is an adjective and is used to describe nouns, indicating that they are of superior quality. For example, an "excellent performance" suggests that the performance was outstanding and above average.
On the contrary, "excellence" is a noun representing the state or condition of being excellent. It often refers to an enduring quality or a consistent state of superior performance. For instance, when one talks about a tradition of "excellence" at a school, it implies a longstanding reputation of high standards.
In usage, "excellent" often precedes the noun it modifies. Phrases like "excellent work" or "excellent decision" are common. "Excellence," on the other hand, usually stands on its own or follows possessive terms, such as "a school's excellence" or "the excellence of a performance."
Furthermore, while "excellent" evaluates the quality of an object or action directly, "excellence" can also convey a more abstract notion of high standards or ideals. For example, pursuing "excellence" in a field might not just mean doing things well but upholding the highest standards and constantly seeking improvement.
Comparison Chart
Grammatical Role
Adjective
Noun
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Usage
Describes nouns
Stands on its own or follows possessive terms
Typical Contexts
Directly evaluates an object/action's quality
Refers to a consistent state or abstract high standards
Examples
Excellent work, excellent decision
Tradition of excellence, the excellence of a performance
Related Words/Phrases
Superior, outstanding
Superiority, distinction
Compare with Definitions
Excellent
Of superior quality.
The food at that restaurant is excellent.
Excellence
An outstanding feature or quality.
The excellence of the product lies in its durability.
Excellent
Highly pleasing.
We had an excellent time at the party.
Excellence
A talent or quality that surpasses ordinary standards.
Her excellence in painting is well-known.
Excellent
Eminent or distinguished.
An excellent leader guides the team.
Excellence
The state of excelling or surpassing.
The team's pursuit of excellence is evident.
Excellent
Thorough; complete.
He did an excellent job cleaning the garage.
Excellence
The state or quality of being outstanding or superior.
The academy is known for its academic excellence.
Excellent
Extremely good; outstanding
Their results are excellent
The lorry was in excellent condition
Excellence
The best of something.
These wines represent the excellence of the vineyard.
Excellent
Used to indicate approval or pleasure
‘What a lovely idea! Excellent!’
Excellence
Excellence is a talent or quality which is unusually good and so surpasses ordinary standards. It is also used as a standard of performance as measured e.g.
Excellent
Of the highest or finest quality; exceptionally good for its kind
Enjoyed an excellent meal at the restaurant.
Excellence
The quality of being outstanding or extremely good
A centre of academic excellence
Awards for excellence
Excellent
(Archaic) Being so to an extreme degree.
Excellence
The state, quality, or condition of excelling; superiority.
Excellent
Having excelled, having surpassed.
Excellence
Something in which one excels.
Excellent
Of higher or the highest quality; splendid.
Excellence
Excellence Excellency.
Excellent
Exceptionally good of its kind.
Excellence
The quality of being excellent; brilliance
John Davies was awarded for excellence in the field of computer security.
Excellent
Superior in kind or degree, irrespective of moral quality.
Excellence
Something in which one excels.
Excellent
(obsolete) Excellently.
Excellence
An excellent or valuable quality; something at which any someone excels; a virtue.
Excellent
Excelling; surpassing others in some good quality or the sum of qualities; of great worth; eminent, in a good sense; superior; as, an excellent man, artist, citizen, husband, discourse, book, song, etc.; excellent breeding, principles, aims, action.
To love . . . What I see excellent in good or fair.
Excellence
The quality of being excellent; state of possessing good qualities in an eminent degree; exalted merit; superiority in virtue.
Consider first that greatOr bright infers not excellence.
Excellent
Superior in kind or degree, irrespective of moral quality; - used with words of a bad significance.
Their sorrows are most excellent.
Excellence
An excellent or valuable quality; that by which any one excels or is eminent; a virtue.
With every excellence refined.
Excellent
Excellently; eminently; exceedingly.
Excellence
A title of honor or respect; - more common in the form excellency.
I do greet your excellenceWith letters of commission from the king.
Excellent
Of the highest quality;
Made an excellent speech
The school has excellent teachers
A first-class mind
Excellence
The quality of excelling; possessing good qualities in high degree
Excellent
Surpassing others in some way.
She has excellent vision.
Excellence
Something in which something or some one excels;
The use of herbs is one of the excellences of French cuisine
Common Curiosities
Is "excellence" always positive?
Generally, yes. It denotes high quality or standards.
Can "excellence" describe a person directly?
No, you'd say someone has "excellence" or exhibits "excellence" in something.
What's a synonym for "excellence"?
A synonym might be "superiority" or "distinction."
How do you use "excellent" in a sentence?
"She gave an excellent presentation."
Can you provide an antonym for "excellent"?
An antonym could be "mediocre" or "poor."
How might one refer to a history of being outstanding?
One might speak of a "tradition of excellence."
Does "excellent" always mean perfect?
No, it suggests superior quality, but not necessarily perfection.
Is "excellent" a noun or an adjective?
"Excellent" is an adjective.
Can "excellence" refer to a specific field or domain?
Yes, e.g., "excellence in journalism."
Can a company's products be described using "excellence"?
Yes, e.g., "The company is known for the excellence of its products."
Can "excellent" be used as a standalone exclamation?
Yes, it can, e.g., "Excellent!"
Can "excellent" refer to skills?
Yes, e.g., "He has excellent communication skills."
Can "excellence" be achieved?
Yes, one can achieve excellence through consistent high performance and improvement.
Which word, "excellent" or "excellence," is more abstract?
"Excellence" is more abstract, often referring to a state or standard.
How do you describe a movie that is more than good but not perfect?
You could say the movie is "excellent."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
