How to pronounce excel
Say it like ik-SEL. Excel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce excel. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ik
- SEL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Excel pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of excel
American and British speakers say excel in essentially the same way: /ɪkˈsɛl/ in the US and /ɪkˈsɛl/ in the UK.
British respelling: ik-SEL.
What does excel mean?
- distinguish oneself“She excelled in math”
Where does excel come from?
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.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with excel
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of excel.
Questions about saying excel
How do you pronounce excel?
Say ik-SEL. The American pronunciation is /ɪkˈsɛl/. In British English it is /ɪkˈsɛl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in excel?
Excel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEL). Broken into parts: ik · SEL.
Do Americans and Brits say excel the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪkˈsɛl/ and the British form is /ɪkˈsɛl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.