# excess

/ˈɛkˌsɛs/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/excess
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. too much of something

noun · CEFR B2

an amount of something that is more than what is needed or allowed.

For teachers: the state of surpassing a limit or being more than what is sufficient or necessary.

- The body stores any excess energy from food as fat.
- The report suggested that an excess of administrative staff was draining the department's budget, leaving little for actual research.

### 2. the extra amount

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the specific amount by which one thing is greater than another.

For teachers: the degree or numerical amount by which one quantity exceeds another.

- If you pay more than the bill, the excess will be returned to you.
- The calculation must account for the excess of the actual temperature over the predicted seasonal average.

### 3. unhealthy behavior

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the habit of eating, drinking, or spending too much.

For teachers: immoderate indulgence in eating, drinking, or other physical pleasures.

- After years of excess, he decided to live a much simpler and healthier life.
- The novel depicts the wild excesses of the upper class during the roaring twenties, focusing on their nightly parties and reckless spending.

### 4. insurance payment

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

the part of an insurance claim that you have to pay yourself.

For teachers: the specific portion of an insurance claim that the policyholder is responsible for paying. In American English, this is called a 'deductible'.

- I had to pay a two-hundred-pound excess when I crashed my car.
- The policyholder opted for a higher voluntary excess in order to reduce the cost of their annual premium.

### 5. extra or surplus

adjective · CEFR B2

more than what is normal, necessary, or allowed.

For teachers: exceeding a prescribed or desirable amount; surplus to requirements.

- You will have to pay a fee for your excess baggage at the airport.
- The factory was forced to sell off its excess inventory at a significant discount to clear space for the new spring collection.

## Examples

- You should avoid an excess of sugar in your diet.
- The factory produces an excess of heat during the manufacturing process, which is then recycled to warm the building.
- While a certain level of confidence is necessary for leadership, an excess of pride can lead to poor decision-making and a refusal to listen to expert advice.

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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.