excessive

Everyday

1. Excessive means too much, more than is needed or sensible. tree →
2. Excessive can mean going beyond what is fair or allowed. tree →

In the lessons

In health and safety lessons: excessive sugar, excessive screen time or excessive speed are harmful. In formal and exam language it shows something is over a limit. Everyday speech says «too much» or «way too much».

Examples

• Excessive sugar is bad for your teeth. tree →
• The driver was stopped for excessive speed. tree →
• Don't use an excessive amount of glue. tree →
• (formal) Excessive noise is not permitted after 10 pm. tree →
• Excessive heat can damage plants. tree →
• The punishment seemed excessive for such a small mistake. tree →
• A PIGEON, oppressed by excessive thirst, saw a goblet of water painted on a signboard. tree →

Note

Related: excess (noun), exceed (verb). Spelling: exCESSive, double s. In maths problems «excessive» means above a limit: the amount over the limit = amount − limit.