English Reference
Adjective

excessive

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/ UK /ɛksˈɛsɪv/ ex·ces·sive

adj.much more than what is necessary, normal, or allowed. You use this to describe something that is too much and might cause problems.

adj.exceeding what is usual, proper, or necessary; characterized by an amount that is greater than a reasonable limit.


SIMPLE

The noise from the party was excessive.

CONTEXTUAL

The judge ruled that the police used excessive force when they arrested the suspect.

COMPLEX

While some regulation is necessary for safety, critics argue that excessive bureaucracy often prevents small businesses from growing or hiring new staff.

Usage

Typically functions as an attributive adjective before a noun, but can also follow linking verbs like 'be' or 'seem'.

Pitfall
He drinks excessive.He drinks excessively.

Learners often use the adjective form when an adverb is required to modify a verb.

Usage excessive heat

At first, the effort to measure losses over distances of meters or even kilometers might seem excessive for devices that fit on a small chip.

ScienceDaily· 17 Aug 2026

Because bone is softer than stone, it allows a toolmaker to work more precisely without causing excessive damage.

ScienceDaily· 27 Jul 2026

From Middle English excessive, excessif, from Old French excessif, from Medieval Latin excessivus, equivalent to excess + -ive.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin la-med excessivus
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated