exceed
ihk-SEED
Exceed (verb) means to be greater than, or go beyond, a certain amount or limit. Example: “Please do not exceed the maximum weight shown on the lift door.”
verb
1
To be greater than, or go beyond, a certain amount or limit.
"Please do not exceed the maximum weight shown on the lift door."
"If the queue exceeds fifty people, we will open another till."
"Your password cannot exceed eight characters."
"His expenses exceeded the budget by a wide margin."
2
To surpass or do better than something else.
"Her latest performance exceeded everything she had achieved in previous seasons."
"The final results exceeded our expectations, and the whole team was delighted."
"The quality of her essay has exceeded my expectations."
"The new model exceeds all previous versions in speed."
How to use exceed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo go beyond a limit, or to be better than something.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "succeed" (to achieve or come after) or "accede" (to agree/give in).
Common pairings
exceed expectations
exceed the limit
exceed a budget
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- exceeds
- Past tense
- exceeded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please do not _____ the maximum weight shown on the lift door.
Etymology
From Old French exceder, from Latin excedere, "to go beyond," from ex- ("out") + cedere ("to go, yield") — the same root as "cede" and "accede."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
to fail
to be inferior
to fall short
to subceed
to fall below
come short
Related words
Rhymes for exceed
See all rhymes for exceed →Frequently asked questions
What does “exceed” mean?
The word “exceed” means to be greater than, or go beyond, a certain amount or limit. In plain terms, to go beyond a limit, or to be better than something.
How do you pronounce “exceed”?
“Exceed” is pronounced ihk-SEED (/ɪkˈsiːd/ in IPA).
How do you use “exceed” in a sentence?
Here is “exceed” used in a sentence: “His expenses exceeded the budget by a wide margin.”
What is another word for “exceed”?
Words with a similar meaning to “exceed” include top, outperform, surpass, overstep, bear away the bell and best.
What is the opposite of “exceed”?
The opposite of “exceed” — its antonyms — are to fail, to be inferior, to fall short, to subceed and to fall below.
What part of speech is “exceed”?
“Exceed” is a verb.
Where does the word “exceed” come from?
The word “exceed” comes from Latin. From Old French exceder, from Latin excedere, "to go beyond," from ex- ("out") + cedere ("to go, yield") — the same root as "cede" and "accede.".
Is “exceed” a common word?
“Exceed” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between exceed and excel?
To exceed means to go beyond a limit or amount, or to be better than something specific, while to excel means to be exceptionally good at an activity. You exceed a target or a speed limit, but you excel at a skill such as maths or music.
What is the difference between exceed and accede?
These similar-sounding words have unrelated meanings: exceed means to go beyond a limit or surpass something, while accede means to agree to a request or to take up a high office. Only exceed relates to going past an amount or standard.
What is the difference between exceed and surpass?
Both mean to go beyond, and they often overlap, but exceed frequently refers to passing a fixed number, limit, or standard, while surpass more often stresses outdoing someone or something in quality or achievement. You exceed the budget but surpass your rivals.
Does exceed take a preposition?
Exceed is normally used without a preposition and takes a direct object, as in exceed expectations or exceed the limit. Adding "over" is unnecessary; the related noun appears in the fixed phrase "in excess of."
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