adjectiveadverb

vorzüglich

excellent · exquisite

Definition & meaning

vorzüglich is an adjective and adverb meaning excellent, outstanding, first-rate, or exceptionally good.

Adjective: eine vorzügliche Leistung — an excellent performance
Adverb: Das Essen schmeckt vorzüglich. — The food tastes excellent.

It can also mean particularly or especially, especially in somewhat formal language:

Das Gerät ist vorzüglich für Anfänger geeignet. — The device is particularly suitable for beginners.

The word often sounds more formal or emphatic than simply “good.”

Grammar & Word origin

As an adjective, vorzüglich takes normal German adjective endings:

ein vorzüglicher Wein — an excellent wine
eine vorzügliche Idee — an excellent idea
ein vorzügliches Ergebnis — an excellent result

As an adverb, it remains unchanged:

Sie kocht vorzüglich. — She cooks exceptionally well.

It derives from Vorzug , meaning “advantage,” “merit,” or “preference,” and is historically related to vorziehen , “to prefer.” Literally, it describes something that has special merit or preference.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

hervorragend — excellent or outstanding; very close in meaning, often suggesting a particularly high level of quality.
ausgezeichnet — excellent or superb; common in both formal and everyday language.
exzellent — excellent; somewhat formal and often used for very high quality.
erstklassig — first-rate; emphasizes quality comparable to the best available.
großartig — great or fantastic; usually more enthusiastic and less formal.
besonders — special or particularly; broader in meaning and not always as strong as vorzüglich.

Antonyms

mangelhaft — deficient or inadequate; directly contrasts with high quality.
schlecht — bad; the general opposite.
mittelmäßig — mediocre or average; contrasts with the exceptional quality of vorzüglich.
gewöhnlich — ordinary or usual; contrasts with the special or outstanding character of vorzüglich.