excess
gb/ˈɛksˌɛs/ us/ˈɛksˌɛs/
B1
English
~ 4200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
quantity
1
Too much of something
A quantity that is more than what is needed or allowed.
Usage pattern:
an excess of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'excess' (too much) with 'access' (the ability to enter or use).
Synonyms
surplus (Implies extra beyond what is needed, often in a neutral or positive sense.)
|
overabundance (Suggests an overly large amount, often with a negative tone.)
Antonyms
shortage (Means there is not enough of something.)
|
deficit (Refers to having less than the required amount, especially in financial or measurable terms.)
Collocations
in excess of
|excess baggage
|excess weight
|excess fat
|excess supply
Themes
daily life
|business
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The recipe calls for sugar, but an excess can make it too sweet.
- There was an excess of food after the party.
- Drivers will be fined for carrying excess weight in their vehicles.
- The company is struggling with an excess of unsold products.
- Excess alcohol consumption can damage your health.
Learner examples
- There is an excess of chairs in the room.
- We had an excess of food at lunch.
- The bag had excess weight at the airport.
- He eats an excess of candy every day.
- The store has an excess of shoes to sell.
Noun
B2
action
2
Extreme or unacceptable behavior
Doing things too much or in a way that is not acceptable.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s excesses
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with the 'too much of something' sense; here it refers to actions, not quantities.
Synonyms
extravagance (Often refers to spending too much money or using too many resources.)
|
immoderation (Formal term for lack of restraint or balance.)
Antonyms
moderation (Means keeping behavior or amounts within reasonable limits.)
Collocations
moral excesses
|youthful excesses
|political excesses
Themes
society
|ethics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The film shows the excesses of the celebrity lifestyle.
- His youthful excesses got him into trouble.
- The new government promised to end the political excesses of the past decade.
Learner examples
- The king was known for his excesses.
- He paid for his youthful excesses later in life.
- The book tells about the excesses of rich people.
adjective
formal
B2
property
3
More than needed or allowed
More than what is needed or allowed.
Usage pattern:
[excess + noun]
Synonyms
extra (Informal and neutral; simply means more than usual or needed.)
|
superfluous (Formal and often negative; means unnecessary because there is already enough.)
Antonyms
insufficient (Means not enough in amount or degree.)
Collocations
excess charge
|excess cost
|excess speed
Themes
business
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company will cut any excess costs to save money.
- She was fined for driving at an excess speed.
- Excess heat can damage the equipment.
Learner examples
- We must remove excess water from the tank.
- Excess sugar is bad for your teeth.
- They reduced excess spending this year.
Grammar
Dictionary form
excess
IPA
GB/ˈɛksˌɛs/
US/ˈɛksˌɛs/
Syllables & stress
ex - cess (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ex)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: excess
- Plural: excess, excesses
Word family
Forms
excesses
noun
Core family
excessive
adjective B2
excessively
adverb B2
Related words
exceed
verb B1
Advanced or less common
exceedingly
adverb B2
Expressions
go to excesses
1/ɡˈoʊ tə ˌɛksˈɛsɪz/
fixed phrase
Act beyond reasonable limits
To do things too much or in an extreme way.
Examples
- The protesters went to excesses during the rally.
- He tends to go to excesses when celebrating.
in excess of
1/ˈɪn ˈɛksˌɛs əv/
fixed phrase
More than a specific number/amount
More than a particular number or amount.
Examples
- Last year’s profits were in excess of $2 million.
- Any item in excess of 20 kg will incur a fee.
to excess
1/tə ˈɛksˌɛs/
fixed phrase
Too much; more than is good
In a way that is too much and can cause harm.
Examples
- He drinks coffee to excess.
- Exercise is good, but not to excess.