Etymology Map
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Excel

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to be exceptionally good

Where does the word "excel" come from? It comes from Latin excellere, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
excellere
Latin · ancient
"to rise above"
'ex-' plus '-cellere', to rise
2
Stage 2 of 3
exceller
Old French · medieval
"to surpass"
Latin 'excellere' meant to rise out above others, related to 'celsus', lofty
3
Stage 3 of 3
excel
English · 1400s
"to surpass"
the Excel spreadsheet was released in 1985
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Read the full story

Excel’s story begins in Latin: excellere meant “to rise above.” 'ex-' plus '-cellere', to rise. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as exceller. Latin 'excellere' meant to rise out above others, related to 'celsus', lofty. It reached English by 1400s as excel. The Excel spreadsheet was released in 1985. Today, excel means to be exceptionally good.