Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

excessive

/ɪkˈsɛsɪv/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.12 in modern English

Syllables: ex-ces-sive
IPA: /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/

21

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Exceeding the usual bounds of something; too much (of amount); extravagant; immoderate.

Example Sentences

"The movie's excessive use of special effects distracted from the plot."
""You can throw off your cumbersome disguise here," said Lucy, though the words could scarcely be distinguished, from her excessive agitation, Evelyn hastily caught up a cloak and cap laid ready for him, and a few minutes brought them into the sitting-room."

Etymology

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

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: excessive, excessif, excessivus

Inflected Forms

more excessive (comparative) most excessive (superlative)

Derived Forms

excessively excessiveness excessivism excessivity nonexcessive overexcessive ultraexcessive unexcessive

Phrases

excessive number ultra-excessive

Frequently Paired Words

exceed excess

Synonyms

devilish excessive horrendous de trop extravagant extreme immoderate intemperate lavish nimious obscene overmuch

Homonyms

exessive

Antonyms

insufficient deficient moderate

Rhymes With

impressive progressive aggressive successive oppressive obsessive expressive depressive possessive repressive regressive recessive

Questions

How do you pronounce excessive?: The recorded pronunciation is /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/.
What does excessive mean?: Exceeding the usual bounds of something; too much (of amount); extravagant; immoderate.
Where does excessive come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce excessive

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “excessive”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ɪkˈsɛsɪv/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “excessive”.
Repeat and practice — Say “excessive” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.