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

From a personal finance perspective, consider being mindful of what's happening with tariffs and be prepared to change consumption if prices start to rise, without getting too ahead of yourself in terms of anticipatory overspending.

From Salon

In fact, “Wicked” operates with its audience constantly in mind, keeping an amiable pace that manages not to be bogged down by too many songs or unnecessary reprises.

From Salon

It was too much to overcome against a deeper opponent.

From Los Angeles Times

The company said the sitter would help them look for Mushie too.

From Los Angeles Times

D’Hérelle, who had been poised to live and work in Georgia, then disappears from her narrative too; he died, largely forgotten, of cancer, in Paris in 1949.

From Salon

Related Words

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

Too Vs. To Vs. Two

What's the difference between too, to, and two?

Too means also (I’m going, too) or to an excessive degree (too much). To is a very common word that performs many different functions, such as expressing direction (I’m driving to the office) or contact (Pin it to the wall), indicating an object or recipient (Give it to me), or setting a range (9 to 5) or limit (These go to 11). Two is the number equal to one plus one.

The words are used in very different ways: too is an adverb, to is most commonly used as a preposition, and two is a number that can be used as a noun or an adjective.

Perhaps the most common mistake involving the three words is using to when it should be too, or vice versa. Remember, if you mean to, don’t use too many o’s!

Here’s an example of too, to, and two used correctly in the same sentence.

Example: We went to two two-star restaurants, and it was two two-star restaurants too many!

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between too, to, and two.

Quiz yourself on too vs. to vs. two!

Should too, to, or two be used in the following sentence?

I like pizza, _____, you know.