too
Americanadverb
-
in addition; also; furthermore; moreover.
young, clever, and rich too.
-
to an excessive extent or degree; beyond what is desirable, fitting, or right.
too sick to travel.
-
more, as specified, than should be.
too near the fire.
-
(used as an affirmative to contradict a negative statement).
I am too!
-
extremely; very.
She wasn't too pleased with his behavior.
idioms
adverb
-
as well; in addition; also
can I come too?
-
in or to an excessive degree; more than a fitting or desirable amount
I have too many things to do
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extremely
you're too kind
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informal indeed: used to reinforce a command
you will too do it!
-
certainly; indeed
Usage
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.
Etymology
Origin of too
First recorded before 900; Middle English to, Old English, stressed variant of to (for the adverb); spelling too since the 16th century
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.
It seemed like he'd taken a step back, that he wasn't too interested in the sport any longer and might be close to retiring.
From BBC
"However, our modern food environment is too problematic. Instead, people may do best with a more repetitive diet that helps them consistently make healthier choices, even if they might sacrifice some nutritional variety."
From Science Daily
Consuming too much sodium and not enough potassium are key contributors to elevated blood pressure.
From Science Daily
Rachel Reeves said it was "too early" to say exactly who would get help but hinted any support would not arrive until the autumn.
From BBC
While that adds to the affordability challenges facing the industry, experts and automakers say it is too soon to determine the war's overall impact on sales.
From Barron's
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.
