The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

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excess

noun

/ɪkˈsɛs/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of excess

An amount or quantity that surpasses what is considered necessary, appropriate, or desired.
"The doctor warned him about the dangers of excess sugar in his diet."

Detailed meaning of excess

It signifies an overflow, surplus, or abundance beyond what is deemed reasonable or required. When something is in excess, it implies an imbalance or an extra beyond what is needed or expected. This can apply to various aspects of life, such as food consumption, spending, or even emotions. Excessiveness often carries a negative connotation, suggesting an indulgence or lack of moderation. It can lead to undesirable consequences, such as wastefulness, extravagance, or even health issues. The concept of excess reminds us of the importance of finding a balance and exercising restraint to avoid the pitfalls of going beyond what is considered necessary or appropriate.

Example sentences containing excess

1. The cake was delicious, but I couldn't finish it due to the excess of sweetness.
2. He faced financial troubles due to his excessive spending habits.
3. The party ended with an excess of confetti covering the entire room.
4. The overflowing trash can was a result of the excess of garbage generated during the event.
5. She regretted her excess of anger, realizing it had strained her relationships.
6. The company had to lay off employees due to an excess of production capacity.

History and etymology of excess

The noun 'excess' derives from the Latin word 'excessus,' which combines 'ex,' meaning 'out of' or 'beyond,' with 'cessus,' derived from 'cedere,' meaning 'to go' or 'to yield.' This etymology conveys the idea of going beyond a certain point or limit. When we refer to an 'excess,' we are talking about an amount or quantity that surpasses what is considered necessary, appropriate, or desired, as if it has gone beyond the prescribed boundary. The Latin roots of 'excess' emphasize the notion of something exceeding or surpassing a particular threshold, highlighting its connection to the concept of going beyond what is reasonable or expected.

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Further usage examples of excess

1. His excessive pride led to his downfall.
2. The garden was thriving thanks to an excess of rainfall.
3. The politician was criticized for his excess of promises that were never fulfilled.
4. The overflowing bathtub was a result of an excess of water pressure.
5. She suffered from health issues due to an excess of caffeine consumption.
6. The designer's collection was criticized for its excess of embellishments.
7. He was punished for his excess of force during the altercation.
8. The excess of noise in the city made it difficult to sleep at night.
9. The athlete was disqualified for an excess of fouls during the game.
10. The excess of traffic on the road caused significant delays.
11. The art piece stood out due to its excess of vibrant colors.
12. The excess of inventory led to discounted prices to clear out the stock.
13. The excess of homework left him with little time for relaxation.
14. The excess sugar in the recipe made the dessert overly sweet.
15. Her spending habits led to an excess of credit card debt.
16. The excess noise from the party kept the neighbors awake.
17. His exercise routine helped him shed excess pounds quickly.
18. The excess rain caused flooding in low-lying areas.
19. We need to trim the excess branches from this tree.
20. The excess luggage fees at the airport were exorbitant.
21. The excess paperwork slowed down the approval process.
22. The excess makeup made her look unnatural and cakey.
23. Cutting back on excess screen time improved his focus.
24. The excess enthusiasm of the fans was contagious at the concert.