# exceeding

/ɪkˈsidɪŋ/ (US) · /ɛksˈiːdɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/exceeding
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. going past a limit

verb · CEFR B2

going beyond a set limit, number, or amount.

For teachers: the present participle of 'exceed', describing the act of surpassing a specific threshold, quantity, or expectation.

- The driver was stopped for exceeding the speed limit on the highway.
- The company reported quarterly earnings exceeding even the most optimistic forecasts, leading to a sharp rise in share price.

Usage: Often used in formal reports or legal contexts regarding limits.

### 2. the state of being over a limit

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act or state of being more than what is allowed or expected.

For teachers: the condition of being in excess or the act of surpassing a boundary.

- Any exceeding of the budget must be approved by the manager.
- The environmental agency monitors any exceeding of the permitted carbon emission levels by local factories.

Usage: Usually functions as a gerund acting as a noun phrase subject or object.

### 3. extraordinary

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

very great or unusual in size or quality.

For teachers: exceptional, extraordinary, or prodigious in degree or extent.

- The traveler spoke of the exceeding beauty of the hidden valley.
- He possessed an exceeding grace that charmed all who encountered him in the royal court.

Teaching tip: This adjectival use is rare in modern speech; students will mostly encounter it in 19th-century literature or religious texts.

### 4. extremely

adverb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

to a very high degree; very.

For teachers: used as an intensifier meaning 'exceedingly' or 'extremely'.

- The king was exceeding glad to hear the news of the victory.
- The task proved exceeding difficult for the young knight, testing his resolve to the absolute limit.

Teaching tip: Modern English speakers almost exclusively use 'exceedingly' instead of 'exceeding' for this adverbial function.

## Examples

- The team showed exceeding patience during the long wait.
- The project was completed with exceeding care to ensure every safety regulation was met.
- The diplomat handled the delicate negotiations with exceeding grace, managing to satisfy both parties without compromising his own nation's core interests.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.