excellence
UK: ˈɛksələns | US: ˈɛksələns
n. the quality of being outstanding or extremely good
n. a feature or virtue deserving praise
The word "excellence" originates from the Latin excellentia, derived from excellere ("to surpass, rise above"), combining ex- ("out of, beyond") and cellere ("to rise, project"). The morpheme excel preserves the core idea of surpassing, while -lence (via Old French -ence) marks it as a noun denoting a state of superiority. This reflects the word’s evolution from a verb of action ("to excel") to an abstract noun ("the state of excelling").
Her academic excellence earned her a scholarship.
The restaurant is known for its excellence in service.
The award celebrates artistic excellence in filmmaking.
He strives for excellence in every project he undertakes.
The company’s reputation for excellence attracts top talent.