Excelling

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Performing at a very high level or surpassing others in a particular activity or skill
2. Showing exceptional ability or achieving superior results compared to peers
3. Demonstrating outstanding competence or proficiency in a given field or task

Etymology: "Excelling" is the present participle of "excel", which came into English through Middle English "excellen" from Old French "exceller", ultimately from Latin "excellere". The Latin verb was built from "ex", meaning "out", and an unrecorded root that survives in "culmen", meaning "height" or "top". The sense is literally of rising up out of the crowd, and that physical picture of standing above others is still present when someone excels today. The same ancient root gives English some unexpected relatives. "Culminate" comes from the same Latin "culmen", so reaching a culmination is, etymologically, reaching the peak. "Column" shares the root too, since a column is a tall upright support, something that stands above. In each case the word began with a notion of height and elevation, and the abstract meanings of achievement and climax grew out of that original vertical image.

Synonyms: outperforming, surpassing, shining, distinguishing, leading

Antonyms: failing, falling short, struggling, floundering, losing