[ noun ik-ses, ek-ses; adjective, verb ek-ses, ik-ses ]
/ noun ɪkˈsɛs, ˈɛk sɛs; adjective, verb ˈɛk sɛs, ɪkˈsɛs /



more than or above what is necessary, usual, or specified; extra: a charge for excess baggage; excess profits.

verb (used with object)

to dismiss, demote, transfer, or furlough (an employee), especially as part of a mass layoff.

Origin of excess

1350–1400; Middle English (noun and adj.) < Latin excessus departure, digression, equivalent to exced-, variant stem of excēdere to exceed + -tus suffix of v. action

Can be confused

access assess excess

British Dictionary definitions for excessing


noun (ɪkˈsɛs, ˈɛksɛs)

adjective (ˈɛksɛs, ɪkˈsɛs) (usually prenominal)

more than normal, necessary, or permitted; surplusexcess weight
payable as a result of previous underpaymentexcess postage; an excess fare for a railway journey

Word Origin for excess

C14: from Latin excessus, from excēdere to go beyond; see exceed

Medicine definitions for excessing


[ ĭk-sĕs, ĕksĕs′ ]


An amount or quantity beyond what is normal or sufficient; a surplus.


Idioms and Phrases with excessing


see carry too far (to excess); in excess of.
