View synonyms for excess

excess

[ noun ik-ses, ek-ses; adjective verb ek-ses, ik-ses ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the fact of exceeding exceeding something else in amount or degree:
His strength is in excess of yours.
the amount or degree by which one thing exceeds another:
The bill showed an excess of several hundred dollars over the estimate.
an extreme or excessive amount or degree; superabundance:
to have an excess of energy.
Synonyms: surplus
Antonyms: deficiency, lack
a going beyond what is regarded as customary or proper:
to talk to excess.
immoderate indulgence; intemperance in eating, drinking, etc.

adjective

more than or above what is necessary, usual, or specified; extra:
a charge for excess baggage; excess profits.

verb (used with object)

to dismiss, demote, transfer, or furlough (an employee), especially as part of a mass layoff.

excess

noun

the state or act of going beyond normal, sufficient, or permitted limits
an immoderate or abnormal amount, number, extent, or degree too much or too many
an excess of tolerance
the amount, number, extent, or degree by which one thing exceeds another
chem a quantity of a reagent that is greater than the quantity required to complete a reaction
add an excess of acid
overindulgence or intemperance
insurance a specified contribution towards the cost of a claim, stipulated on certain insurance policies as being payable by the policyholder
in excess of
of more than; over
to excess
to an inordinate extent; immoderately
he drinks to excess

adjective

more than normal, necessary, or permitted; surplus
excess weight
payable as a result of previous underpayment
an excess fare for a railway journey
excess postage

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Word History and Origins

Origin of excess¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (noun and adjective), from Latin excessus “departure, digression,” noun use of past participle of excēdere “to go out”; exceed

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Word History and Origins

Origin of excess¹

C14: from Latin excessus, from excēdere to go beyond; see exceed

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Idioms and Phrases

see carry too far (to excess) ; in excess of .

Related Words

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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