How to pronounce excellence
Say it like EK-suh-luns. Excellence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce excellence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EK
- suh
- luns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Excellence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of excellence
American and British speakers say excellence in essentially the same way: /ˈɛksələns/ in the US and /ˈɛksələns/ in the UK.
British respelling: EK-suh-luns.
What does excellence mean?
- the quality of excelling; possessing good qualities in high degree
- an outstanding feature; something in which something or someone excels“a center of manufacturing excellence”“the use of herbs is one of the excellencies of French cuisine”
Where does excellence come from?
From Middle English excellence, from Old French excellence, from Latin excellentia.
Questions about saying excellence
How do you pronounce excellence?
Say EK-suh-luns. The American pronunciation is /ˈɛksələns/. In British English it is /ˈɛksələns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in excellence?
Excellence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EK). Broken into parts: EK · suh · luns.
Do Americans and Brits say excellence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɛksələns/ and the British form is /ˈɛksələns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.