too

[ too ]

adverb

1. in addition; also; furthermore; moreover:

   young, clever, and rich too.

2. to an excessive extent or degree; beyond what is desirable, fitting, or right:

   too sick to travel.

3. more, as specified, than should be:

   too near the fire.

4. (used as an affirmative to contradict a negative statement):

   I am too!

5. extremely; very:

   She wasn't too pleased with his behavior.

too

/ tuː /

adverb

1. as well; in addition; also

   can I come too?

2. in or to an excessive degree; more than a fitting or desirable amount

   I have too many things to do

3. extremely

   you're too kind

4. informal.
   indeed: used to reinforce a command

   you will too do it!

5. too right!
   certainly; indeed

Usage

See very

Word History and Origins

Origin of too¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English to, Old English, stressed variant of to (for the adverb); spelling too since the 16th century

Word History and Origins

Origin of too¹

Old English tō; related to Old Frisian, Old Saxon to, Old High German zou; see to ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. only too. only ( def 10 ).

More idioms and phrases containing too

• carry too far
• (too) close to home
• eat one's cake and have it, too
• go too far
• irons in the fire, too many
• life is too short
• none too
• not (too) bad
• only too
• speak too soon
• spread oneself too thin
• take on (too much)

Example Sentences

“They want to be part of something good and positive too.”

From Salon

Maybe they shop too much, or need a cheaper cell phone plan.

From Slate

Let’s also be real here: Elon will probably hold much of the authority, as he is just too much of an egomaniac to cede any public control.

From Slate

“If you hire too many political hacks, you might get a lot of responsiveness, but if you cut organizations to the bone, it’s going to be harder for you to achieve your core goals.”

From Slate

And such is the pace of linguistic change, many words in current use today are too new to make it in.

From BBC

Related Words

• awfully
• ever
• exceptionally
• extremely
• highly
• immensely
• overly
• remarkably
• unduly
• very