excess

1 of 3

noun

ex·​cess ik-ˈses  ˈek-ˌses 

1

a

: the state or an instance of surpassing usual, proper, or specified limits : superfluity

b

: the amount or degree by which one thing or quantity exceeds another

an excess of 10 bushels

2

: undue or immoderate indulgence : intemperance

also : an act or instance of intemperance

… prevent excesses and abuses by newly created local powers.

—Albert Shanker

see also:

in excess of

excess

2 of 3

adjective

: more than the usual, proper, or specified amount

excess

3 of 3

verb

excessed; excessing; excesses

transitive verb

: to eliminate the position of

excessed several teachers because of budget cutbacks

Synonyms of excess

Noun

• surplus
• abundance
• overflow

Adjective

• extra
• surplus
• spare

Examples of excess in a Sentence

Noun

They were equipped with an excess of provisions.

The tests found an excess of sodium in his blood.

He lived a life of excess.

The movie embraces all the worst excesses of popular American culture.

the violent excesses of the military regime

He apologized for his past excesses.

Adjective

Basketball provided an outlet for their excess energy.

She is trying to eliminate excess fat and calories from her diet.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

At the exact same time, young, upstart groups like the Ramones and the Clash were forming in response to the corporatization of rock, the bloated egos of its biggest stars, and the excesses of prog with the back-to-basics minimalism of punk. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026

Give your products a few minutes to sink in, then gently press away any excess before applying a thin layer of concealer. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Even worse, the wing screens — the big digital screens mounted at the base of the F50’s wingsail — were fizzling out with the excess water torrenting out of the gloomy Sassnitz sky. — Andrew Rice, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

The boots apply rhythmic pressure to the legs to improve circulation and move excess fluid out, which can ease heavy, tired legs after a long day of walking, a round of golf or a doubles match. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French exces, from Late Latin excessus, from Latin, departure, projection, from excedere to exceed

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1971, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing excess

• in excess
• in excess of
• to excess

Rhymes for excess

• abbess
• abscess
• access
• address
• assess
• caress
• confess
• depress
• digress
• distress
• egress
• express

Kids Definition

excess

1 of 2 noun

ex·​cess ik-ˈses  ˈek-ˌses 

1

: a state of being more than enough

2

a

: an amount beyond what is usual, needed, or asked

b

: the amount by which one thing or quantity exceeds another

excess

2 of 2 adjective

: more than what is usual, acceptable, or needed

excess baggage

an outlet for their excess energy

Legal Definition

excess

adjective

ex·​cess

: more than a usual or specified amount

specifically : additional to an amount specified under another insurance policy

excess coverage

excess insurance