excess
excess Lexical Profile
excess Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Exceeding a prescribed, normal, or desirable amount; extra or surplus.
"Passengers are required to pay an additional fee for any excess baggage at the airport check-in counter."
• noun
An amount of something that is more than necessary, permitted, or desirable.
"Blot the surface gently with a clean cloth to remove any excess of moisture before painting."
Lack of moderation in behavior, especially in eating, drinking, or spending, or an outrageous or immoderate act (often used in the plural).
"The historical novel vividly portrays the lavish excesses of the royal court prior to the revolution."
British A specified initial amount of money that an insured person must pay toward a claim before the insurance company pays the remainder.
"She opted for a car insurance policy with a higher voluntary excess in order to reduce her monthly premium."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'excess' (an overabundance or surplus) with 'access' (the means or opportunity to approach or enter a place). As an adjective, 'excess' is used strictly attributively before a noun (e.g., 'excess baggage') and generally lacks a negative moral judgment, whereas 'excessive' implies an undesirable or unreasonable degree.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French excès, from Latin excessus ('a departure, going beyond bounds'), the past participle of excedere ('to go out, surpass'), formed from ex- ('out') and cedere ('to go, yield').