# excel

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɪkˈsɛl/ · frequency rank #10,691

## Definitions
1. To surpass someone or something; to be better or do better than someone or something.
2. To be much better than others.
3. To exceed, to go beyond.

## Etymology
From Middle English excellen, from Old French exceller, from Latin excellere, excelsum; ex (“out”) + *cellō, an unattested verb root found in culmen (“height, top”); Compare French exceller. See also culminate, column.

## Easily confused with
- **exe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/excel-vs-exe)
- **exec** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/excel-vs-exec)
- **exes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/excel-vs-exes)
- **expel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/excel-vs-expel)
- **except** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/excel-vs-except)
- **excess** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/excel-vs-excess)
- **eel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/eel-vs-excel)
- **Ethel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ethel-vs-excel)
- **emcee** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/emcee-vs-excel)
- **easel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-excel)
- **exceed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/exceed-vs-excel)

## Common misspellings (7)
`ecxel`, `exccel`, `excell`, `excle`, `execl`, `exxcel`, `xecel`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/excel