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

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

To season uncoated grates, rub them with a thin layer of oil and wipe away any excess. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026

The Padres’ payroll will sit in excess of $230 million once the three contracts agreed to this weekend — Castellanos and pitchers Griffin Canning and Germán Márquez — are finalized. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026

Adjective

In summer the process is reversed, dumping excess heat back into the earth. —Vanessa Bates Ramirez, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2026

Under a net energy metering billing mechanism, customers with rooftop solar receive credits that are applied to their utility bills when their systems produce excess power. —Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026

Verb

Over the past few months my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening. —Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2023

Over the past few months, my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening. —Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 17 July 2023

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
• 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