excess

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

noun

1. the fact of exceeding exceeding something else in amount or degree:

   His strength is in excess of yours.

2. the amount or degree by which one thing exceeds another:

   The bill showed an excess of several hundred dollars over the estimate.

3. an extreme or excessive amount or degree; superabundance:

   to have an excess of energy.

   Synonyms: surplus

   Antonyms: deficiency, lack

4. a going beyond what is regarded as customary or proper:

   to talk to excess.

5. immoderate indulgence; intemperance in eating, drinking, etc.

adjective

1. more than or above what is necessary, usual, or specified; extra:

   a charge for excess baggage; excess profits.

verb (used with object)

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

excess

noun

1. the state or act of going beyond normal, sufficient, or permitted limits
2. an immoderate or abnormal amount, number, extent, or degree too much or too many

   an excess of tolerance

3. the amount, number, extent, or degree by which one thing exceeds another
4. chem a quantity of a reagent that is greater than the quantity required to complete a reaction

   add an excess of acid

5. overindulgence or intemperance
6. insurance a specified contribution towards the cost of a claim, stipulated on certain insurance policies as being payable by the policyholder
7. in excess of
   of more than; over
8. to excess
   to an inordinate extent; immoderately

   he drinks to excess

adjective

1. more than normal, necessary, or permitted; surplus

   excess weight

2. payable as a result of previous underpayment

   an excess fare for a railway journey

   excess postage

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of excess¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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

Example Sentences

"Whether it's possible to have integrated scenarios that maintain a high-grade fusion plasma with these specific flows of excess fuel and ash from the plasma needs to be determined," Schwartz said.

From Science Daily

Bumetanide is one of the standard diuretics administered orally or intravenously to reduce tissue swelling from heart, kidney or liver disease by removing excess salt and water through the urine.

From Science Daily

They analysed fat cells from overweight mice and those that had shed their excess weight through dieting.

From Science Daily

Given Republican majorities in the House as well as the Senate and the conservative Supreme Court’s hostility to environmental regulation, Trump’s anti-environmental excesses will have to be checked at the state and local levels.

From Los Angeles Times

They are also an important component of our transition to renewable energy, as they are used to store excess solar and wind energy and send it back into the power grid on demand.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• exuberance
• glut
• overkill
• surplus
• waste