excessive, immoderate, inordinate, extravagant, exorbitant, extreme mean going beyond a normal limit. excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

EXCESSIVE definition: going beyond the usual, necessary, or proper limit or degree; characterized by excess. See examples of excessive used in a sentence.

Excessive exercise can sometimes cause health problems. Any more pudding would simply be excessive.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025 ex•ces•sive (ik ses′ iv), adj. going beyond the usual, necessary, or proper limit or degree; characterized by excess: …

When something is excessive, it exceeds the usual or acceptable limits, often leading to negative consequences or outcomes. It implies an abundance, extravagance, or overindulgence that may …

There are eight meanings listed in OED's entry for the word excessive, five of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

If you describe the amount or level of something as excessive, you disapprove of it because it is more or higher than is necessary or reasonable.

excessive: Exceeding a normal, usual, reasonable, or proper limit.

4 days ago · The excess of heavy water was given away to the neighbouring country.

The meaning of EXCESSIVENESS is the quality or state of being excessive. How to use excessiveness in a sentence.