excessive
ihk-SEH-sihv
Excessive (adjective) means going beyond a reasonable or acceptable amount; too much. Example: “Excessive noise from the building site kept the whole street awake at night.”
adjective
1
Going beyond a reasonable or acceptable amount; too much.
"The movie's excessive use of special effects distracted from the plot."
"Excessive noise from the building site kept the whole street awake at night."
"Doctors warn that excessive screen time can make it harder to sleep."
"The court ruled the fine was excessive for such a minor offence."
How to use excessive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMore than is reasonable or necessary.
Common pairings
excessive force
excessive amount
excessive drinking
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more excessive
- Superlative
- most excessive
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_____ noise from the building site kept the whole street awake at night.
Etymology
From Old French excessif, from Medieval Latin excessivus, built on excess.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for excessive
See all rhymes for excessive →Frequently asked questions
What does “excessive” mean?
The word “excessive” means going beyond a reasonable or acceptable amount; too much. In plain terms, more than is reasonable or necessary.
How do you pronounce “excessive”?
“Excessive” is pronounced ihk-SEH-sihv (/ɪkˈsɛsɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “excessive” in a sentence?
Here is “excessive” used in a sentence: “The court ruled the fine was excessive for such a minor offence.”
What is the opposite of “excessive”?
The opposite of “excessive” — its antonyms — are deficient, insufficient and moderate.
What part of speech is “excessive”?
“Excessive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “excessive” come from?
The word “excessive” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French excessif, from Medieval Latin excessivus, built on excess.
Is “excessive” a common word?
“Excessive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between excessive and sufficient?
Excessive means going beyond a reasonable or acceptable amount, in other words too much. Sufficient means just enough to meet a need, so the two are opposites: sufficient satisfies a requirement while excessive overshoots it.
What is the difference between excessive and abundant?
Abundant describes a plentiful, generous amount and usually carries a positive tone. Excessive describes an amount that goes beyond what is reasonable or acceptable and carries a negative tone, implying there is more than there should be.
What are common collocations with the word excessive?
Excessive frequently precedes nouns such as "excessive force," "excessive noise," "excessive spending," "excessive drinking," and "excessive heat." It almost always describes an amount or degree that is judged too high.
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