exceed
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to be more than a specific amount, number, or size.
to be greater than a specified number, amount, or degree. Transitive — requires a direct object.
Simple“The final cost of the house must not exceed our budget of three hundred thousand dollars.”
In context“The annual rate of inflation is expected to exceed the central bank's target, prompting concerns about future interest rate hikes.”
UsageCommonly used with numerical values, percentages, and financial limits.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to go past an official limit or a rule.
to go beyond a set limit, boundary, or legal restriction.
Simple“He was pulled over by the police for exceeding the speed limit on the motorway.”
In context“The executive was disciplined for exceeding her authority when she signed the contract without board approval.”
UsageFrequently collocates with 'limit', 'authority', 'powers', or 'expectations'.
- 03 C1 Advanced
to be better than what was expected or planned.
to surpass in quality, achievement, or excellence.
Simple“The beauty of the island exceeded all our expectations.”
In context“The young athlete's performance in the qualifying rounds exceeded even the most optimistic predictions of her coaching staff.”
UsageOften used in the phrase 'exceed expectations'.
Usage demand exceed · exceed level · far exceed
From Middle English exceden, from Old French exceder, from Latin excēdō (“to go beyond”), from ex- (“out, forth”) with cēdō (“to go”); see cede and compare accede etc. Partly displaced native Old English ofersteppan, whence Modern English overstep.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.