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excelsior

(archaic, or, poetic, rare) More surpassing, more excelling.

ɛkˈsɛl.si.ɔːDocumented since 1840sSilenthistoricalCurrent120 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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3 definitions
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6 citations · last seen May 2026

Etymology timeline

Born ~1841 · 1 year of recorded use
1841Born2026: 6 citationsToday, 2026

Seen in the wild

Definitions

#1·Apr 27, 2026

(archaic, or, poetic, rare) More surpassing, more excelling.

Cluster: general
Heard in the wild
  • “Your Friends & Neighbours season 2 episode 4 recap: How does Ashe get into the Excelsior fund?”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(dated) Onward.

For parents

Excelsior means: Onward.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

excelsior means: Onward.. Register: dated, informal. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.

Heard in the wild
  • “Today ⚽ 🆚 Glasgow University 🗓️ 6 May 🕗 8pm kick off 🏟️ Excelsior Stadium See you at the football!”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “A popular summer gathering spot on Lake Minnetonka was damaged by a fire overnight. Fire crews are still on scene at Haskell's in Excelsior, where they are working to assess the damage.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Bij een aanrijding op de rotonde Excelsior in Venlo zijn meerdere personen gewond geraakt. Hulpdiensten zijn ter plaatse.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Excelsior, according to officials: The United States and #Iran are nearing a one-page agreement to end the war Washington expects a response from Tehran on several key points within 48 hours The agreement includes Iran suspending uranium enrichment”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Según publica el Excelsior, un escritor mexicano sugiere "empacar a Hernán Cortés" y entregar sus restos a Ayuso. Menos mal que solo va a estar 10 días y se irá pronto a la playa.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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#3·Apr 27, 2026

(archaic, or, poetic, rare) Loftier, yet higher, more elevated; ever upward.

Origin: From , comparative of high. The name of the stuffing material was originally a trademark. As an exclamation, originating in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem Excelsior (1841), based on the New York state motto. Popularized in the comic book fandom by Marvel Comics editor Stan Lee, who chose the term to sign off his columns as it was an obscure term and would confound competing publishers who imitated his style. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

Excelsior means: Loftier, yet higher, more elevated; ever upward.. The word is mostly archaic or historical; you will only encounter it in old texts, period drama, or school history rather than current teen conversation. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

excelsior means: Loftier, yet higher, more elevated; ever upward.. Register: archaic, historical. Almost never used today; you will find it only in older texts, dictionaries of dialect, or historical writing. Avoid in active vocabulary. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.

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