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adv A1 Beginner Very common

too

too

Too (adv) means Also; in addition. Example: “I like coffee, and I like tea too.”

adv
1
Also; in addition.
"I like coffee, and I like tea too."
"Can I come too?"
2
To an excessive degree; more than is wanted or needed.
"The soup is too salty for me."
"It's too late to change our plans now."

How to use too

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither "as well/also" or "excessively," depending on context.

Common mistake

Don't confuse "too" (also / excessively) with "to" (a preposition) or "two" (the number) — they sound identical but mean completely different things.

Easily confused with
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Test yourself on “too” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

I like coffee, and I like tea _____.

Etymology

From Old English to, an adverbial use of the preposition "to" — a doublet of "to" itself.

Origin: Old English

also as well in addition besides overly excessively

Related words

Rhymes for too

See all rhymes for too →

Frequently asked questions

What does “too” mean?

The word “too” means also; in addition. In plain terms, either "as well/also" or "excessively," depending on context.

How do you pronounce “too”?

“Too” is pronounced too (/tu/ in IPA).

How do you use “too” in a sentence?

Here is “too” used in a sentence: “I like coffee, and I like tea too.”

What part of speech is “too”?

“Too” is an adverb.

Where does the word “too” come from?

The word “too” comes from Old English. From Old English to, an adverbial use of the preposition "to" — a doublet of "to" itself.

Is “too” a common word?

“Too” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

How many meanings does “too” have?

“Too” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: also; in addition.

What is the difference between "too," "to," and "two"?

"Too" means "also" or "to an excessive degree" ("I want one too"; "it's too hot"). "To" is a preposition or infinitive marker ("go to work," "to run"), and "two" is the number 2. If you can replace the word with "also" or "excessively," the spelling you want is "too."

Do you need a comma before "too" at the end of a sentence?

The comma is optional, and modern style generally omits it: "I like it too." Add commas around "too" only when it interrupts the middle of a sentence and you want a deliberate pause: "I, too, was surprised."

When should you use "too" instead of "also"?

Both mean "in addition," but "too" normally sits at the end of the clause ("She came too"), while "also" is more flexible in position and slightly more formal ("She also came"). In negative sentences, use "either" instead of "too": "I don't know either."

Does "too" always suggest something negative?

Only in its "excessive" sense — "too salty" or "too expensive" means more than is wanted or needed, so it usually signals a problem. When "too" means "also," it is completely neutral: "I want one too."

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