If you are wondering whether “excelerate” or “accelerate” is correct, the standard English word is accelerate. Excelerate is a common spelling mistake and should not be used when you mean to describe something becoming faster or causing something to happen faster. For example, “The car began to accelerate” is correct.
The confusion often happens because accelerate sounds somewhat like it begins with “ex,” especially when spoken quickly. However, its correct spelling begins with acc-, not exc-. Learning the correct spelling is useful because accelerate is commonly used in everyday English, academic writing, business, science, and technology.
Quick Answer
Accelerate is the correct standard English word. Excelerate is an incorrect spelling when you mean “to become faster” or “to make something happen faster.” Remember the correct spelling as ACCELERATE, with acc- at the beginning and only one x later in the word.
Why Do People Confuse “Excelerate” and “Accelerate”?
The main reason for the confusion is pronunciation.
When people hear accelerate, the beginning can sound less obvious than its spelling. Some people therefore write excelerate, using ex- instead of acc-.
The correct spelling is:
accelerate âś…
Not:
excelerate ❌
The word accelerate is related to acceleration, accelerator, and accelerated.
Is “Accelerate” Correct?
Yes. Accelerate is the correct standard English word.
It means to become faster or to make something move or happen faster.
Examples:
- The car began to accelerate.
- Technology can accelerate the process.
- The company wants to accelerate its growth.
- The runner accelerated near the finish line.
It can describe physical speed as well as the faster development of a process, activity, or change.
Is “Excelerate” Correct?
No, excelerate is not the standard spelling of the verb accelerate.
❌ The car began to excelerate.
âś… The car began to accelerate.
If you are writing standard English and want to express the idea of becoming faster or making something happen faster, use accelerate.
Accelerate vs. Excelerate: Comparison Table
| Word | Correct? | Meaning | Example |
| Accelerate | âś… Yes | To become faster or make something faster | The car started to accelerate. |
| Excelerate | ❌ No | Incorrect spelling of accelerate | Avoid this spelling in standard English. |
When Should You Use “Accelerate”?
Use accelerate when something increases in speed or when a process is made faster.
Physical Speed
- The driver began to accelerate.
- The train accelerated after leaving the station.
- The car can accelerate quickly.
Processes and Activities
Accelerate can also describe making something happen more quickly.
- New technology can accelerate production.
- The new system may accelerate the process.
- The company hopes to accelerate development.
Growth and Change
The word can also be used when growth or change becomes faster.
- The company plans to accelerate its expansion.
- Economic growth began to accelerate.
- The project needs to accelerate its progress.
10+ Examples of “Accelerate”
- The car began to accelerate on the highway.
- The driver pressed the pedal to accelerate.
- The train started to accelerate.
- New technology can accelerate scientific research.
- The company wants to accelerate production.
- The program can accelerate the learning process.
- The runner accelerated during the final part of the race.
- The team needs to accelerate its efforts.
- The project could accelerate economic growth.
- The machine is designed to accelerate the process.
- The business plans to accelerate its expansion.
- The changes may accelerate the development of the product.
What Are the Common Mistakes?
The most common mistake is spelling accelerate as excelerate.
Incorrect
The car began to excelerate.
Correct
The car began to accelerate.
Another mistake is confusing accelerate with related words.
Correct forms include:
- accelerate
- accelerated
- accelerating
- acceleration
- accelerator
For example:
- The car accelerated quickly.
- The car is accelerating.
- The driver increased acceleration.
- Press the accelerator gently.
What Is an Easy Memory Trick?
A simple way to remember the spelling is:
ACCELERATE starts with ACC.
Think:
ACC + ELERATE = ACCELERATE
You can also connect it with acceleration:
accelerate → acceleration
Both begin with accel-.
Remember:
ACCELERATE âś…
EXCELERATE ❌
American vs. British English
There is no standard spelling difference between American and British English for this word.
Both varieties use:
accelerate
Examples:
- American English: The car began to accelerate.
- British English: The car began to accelerate.
The spelling excelerate is not an alternative British spelling of accelerate.
Similar Words
Several words are related to accelerate and can help you remember its correct spelling:
- acceleration — an increase in speed or the process of becoming faster
- accelerated — made faster or developed more quickly
- accelerating — becoming faster
- accelerator — something that causes or controls acceleration
- speed up — a simpler phrase meaning to become faster
- increase — to become greater in amount, size, or degree
For example:
The car began to accelerate.
You could also say:
The car began to speed up.
However, accelerate is the correct formal verb for this meaning.
Final Verdict
Accelerate is the correct spelling.
Excelerate is an incorrect spelling when you mean “to become faster” or “to make something faster.”
Remember:
- âś… Accelerate
- ❌ Excelerate
- âś… Acceleration
- âś… Accelerated
- âś… Accelerating
- âś… Accelerator
If you are unsure, remember that accelerate begins with accel-, not excel-.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “excelerate” a correct word?
No. Excelerate is not the standard spelling of the word used to mean “to become faster” or “to make something faster.” The correct word is accelerate.
Is it “accelerate” or “excelerate”?
The correct spelling is accelerate. For example: “The car began to accelerate.”
What does accelerate mean?
Accelerate means to become faster or to make something happen or move faster.
How do you spell accelerate?
The correct spelling is A-C-C-E-L-E-R-A-T-E: accelerate.
What is the noun form of accelerate?
The noun form is acceleration. It refers to an increase in speed or the process of becoming faster.
What is the past tense of accelerate?
The past tense is accelerated.
Example:
The car accelerated quickly.
Is “accelerate” the same in American and British English?
Yes. Accelerate has the same standard spelling in both American and British English.
Remember This
Accelerate = correct
Excelerate = incorrect
The easiest memory trick is:
ACCELERATE starts with ACC.
Think of the related word acceleration to help remember the spelling.
Conclusion
When choosing between excelerate or accelerate, always use accelerate in standard English. It means to become faster or to cause something to happen faster. The word is commonly used for vehicles, processes, growth, development, and many other situations.
Although excelerate may seem natural because of the way accelerate sounds, it is not the correct spelling for this meaning. Remember accelerate, acceleration, accelerated, and accelerating all begin with accel-.
