exceed
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
-
to be greater, as in quantity or degree.
-
to surpass others; excel or be superior.
verb
-
to be superior to (a person or thing), esp in size or quality; excel
-
(tr) to go beyond the limit or bounds of
to exceed one's income
exceed a speed limit
-
to be greater in degree or quantity than (a person or thing)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
unexceedableadjective
-
superexceedverb (used without object)
-
exceedableadjective
-
exceedernoun
-
unexceededadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have exceededperfect
-
has exceededperfect 3rd person singular
-
have been exceedingperfect progressive
-
am exceedingprogressive 1st person singular
-
exceedssingular 3rd person
-
has been exceedingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
is exceedingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
are exceedingprogressive
-
exceedingparticiple
Past
-
had exceededperfect
-
had been exceedingperfect progressive
-
was exceedingprogressive singular
-
were exceedingprogressive plural
-
exceededsimple
-
exceededparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of exceed
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English exceden, from Latin excēdere “to go out, go beyond”; equivalent to ex- 1 + cede
Explanation
To exceed is to go beyond expectations, or to go too far. If you exceed the speed limit, you might get a speeding ticket. Exceed and excess share the Latin root excedere meaning to "go beyond." An excess is too much of something, like the piles of candy after Halloween, and exceed means the action of going too far in a good or bad way. You exceed in school when you get straight A's. When Dr. Jekyll transforms into Mr. Hyde, he experiences "a grinding in the bones, deadly nausea, and a horror of the spirit that cannot be exceeded at the hour of birth or death." No thanks! It helps to remember that like speed, exceed ends with -eed.
Vocabulary lists containing exceed
Power Prefix: ex-
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Bill of Rights
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Essential English Vocabulary, List 3
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A new motion, introduced by Councilmember Bob Blumenfeld, who represents the west San Fernando Valley, would also direct the city attorney to apply the ban only to events that exceed 1,000 spectators.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
These rare particles can exceed 100 exa-electron volts, or 100 quintillion electron volts.
From Science Daily • Jun. 9, 2026
With temperatures at 14 of the 16 host venues set to exceed dangerous levels according to researchers, there were fears this bottle ban could put fans' health at risk.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
Companies know they have to exceed expectations to get a pop.
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
They said that if I nurtured these qualities, I would achieve or even exceed my extraordinary potential, and this wasn’t just a good thing, but a great thing.
From "Confessions of a Murder Suspect" by James Patterson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
