WordGarden.ioexcessive
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɛksˈɛsɪv/
US
- /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/
Meanings
Adjective
more than is necessary, normal, or reasonable
Beyond the definition
Think of a child after eating too much candy - that's excessive. It means going beyond what is normal, needed, or acceptable. Too much rain can cause flooding, and excessive shopping can lead to debt. The word suggests that something has gone past a reasonable limit. You might call someone's boasting excessive if they keep talking about themselves, or say that government spending is excessive if it seems wasteful and unreasonable.
The word "excessive" describes something that is far more than what is needed, wanted, or considered reasonable. It implies an extreme amount, often to the point of being harmful, inappropriate, or undesirable. Imagine a beautifully decorated cake – a little frosting is lovely, but excessive frosting might make it impossible to eat!
"Excessive" isn't just about quantity; it can also apply to qualities or behaviors. An excessive amount of caution could prevent you from taking necessary risks, while an excessive display of anger might damage relationships. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting something is overdone or out of control.
You'll encounter "excessive" in many contexts: legal (like excessive force by police), medical (excessive bleeding), financial (excessive debt), and everyday life (excessive noise). It's a word that signals a boundary has been crossed, a line has been overstepped.
Consider the phrase "in excess of" – it means more than a certain amount. For example: "The project cost in excess of $1 million." So, when something is excessive, remember it's not just a lot—it's too much, pushing beyond what's considered appropriate or healthy.
Examples
- 1
Cooking
I put an excessive amount of salt in the sauce.
- 2
Screen time
Excessive screen time can make it harder to sleep.
- 3
Hotel fees
The hotel charges excessive fees for late check-out.
- 4
Driving conditions
He was driving at an excessive speed for the conditions.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Police arrest
The judge ruled that the officers had used excessive force during the arrest.
- Domainexcessive force
more physical force than was necessary or legal
- 6
Work anxiety
Her worry about small mistakes became excessive and started to affect her work.
See also
Similar
- undue
- inordinate
- too much
Shades of meaning
- exorbitant
- immoderate
- overblown
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- excessive force
- excessive drinking
- excessive spending
- excessive noise
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- excessiveadjective