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

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

Phrases

in excess of

: to an amount or degree beyond : over

Synonyms

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

The lavish display of money and excess has provoked backlash from local residents and environmental demonstrators who protest the use of the Unesco world heritage site as a playground for the super-rich. —Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 27 June 2025

An excess of Helena, which no one, least of all me, wanted. —Literary Hub, 26 June 2025

Adjective

This is different from the current law, that allows for any excess business loss to be considered a net operating loss, and carried forward for use in future years. —Lynn Mucenski Keck, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

The change in odor and taste is due to the heavy rains that hit just north of the area, leading to excess runoff changing the composition of the Missouri River, KC Water said in a Sunday news release. —Zuri Primos, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2025

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