excessive
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of excessive
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English ( see excess, -ive); replacing Middle English excessif, from Middle French
Explanation
Excessive means beyond what is typical or normal. When something is excessive, there's way too much. Excessive refers to something that is extra — usually in a negative way. A 90-second drum solo in a two-minute song is excessive. Getting down on your knees and kissing someone's feet to thank them for a favor is excessive, unless they gave you their firstborn. Often this means something that exceeds the bounds of good taste, or is extravagant and inappropriately expensive. You should dress up for dinner, but wearing a ball gown to a diner is excessive.
Vocabulary lists containing excessive
The Bill of Rights
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Unit 2: Pivotal Words and Phrases
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List 5
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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.
Real estate giants such as Evergrande, Country Garden and Vanke have also been plagued by debt struggles since 2020, when authorities narrowed access to credit in a bid to curb excessive borrowing and speculation.
From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026
Collagen normally gives tissue structure and strength, but excessive collagen can make a valve thicker and stiffer, changing its shape and movement.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026
Prosecutor Graeme Jessop KC told the court that Patrick was driving at "excessive speed" along the B9099 Luncarty to Stanley road when he lost control of the car.
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026
A few weeks back, South Korean regulators expressed concern about the use of excessive leverage by retail investors, particularly through leveraged exchange -traded funds offering several times the return of the Kospi.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 8, 2026
Burnham established defenses that by prevailing standards seemed elaborate, even excessive.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
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.
