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

Valuing a lack of excess is often associated with minimalism, but can apply to anyone who needs a blank slate to calm their senses. —Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026

The tournament co-hosts had reached 203-1 in only 15 overs before James Neesham (3-46) took three key wickets in the 16th over at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, the largest cricket ground in the world with a crowd in excess of 100,000 on Sunday. —ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026

Adjective

The growth prospects of the global sportswear industry, characterized by excess supply and changing consumer preferences in China, represent another pressure point for investors. —Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026

High tide flooding, the overflow or excess accumulation of water that covers typically dry coastal land during times of high tide, is happening more often in many coastal communities, even on generally quiet weather days, according to NOAA. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 4 Mar. 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