excess

An amount greater than what is needed, wanted, or allowed.

• Wipe away the excess.
• An excess of rain damaged the crops.
• Pour off any excess before serving the sauce.

How to use it: an excess of something (An excess of sugar can spoil the flavour.); in excess (Even healthy foods can cause problems when eaten in excess.)

Similar words: surplus, extra

Opposites: shortage, deficit

Common phrases: an excess of, remove the excess, in excess

An amount greater than what is needed or considered acceptable.

• Wipe away the excess.
• An excess of rain damaged the crops.
• He eats everything in excess.

How to use it: an excess of something (An excess of salt can spoil the soup.); in excess (Even healthy foods can cause problems when eaten in excess.)

Similar words: surplus, overabundance

Opposites: shortage

Common phrases: an excess of, remove the excess, in excess

In the expression 'in excess of', greater than a stated number or amount.

• The bill was in excess of fifty pounds.
• They drove at speeds in excess of the limit.
• The company employs in excess of a thousand people.

How to use it: in excess of something (Repairs will cost in excess of five hundred euros.)

Common phrases: in excess of, well in excess

Actions involving too much drinking, spending, or pleasure, which other people disapprove of.

• His excesses worried his family.
• She regretted the excesses of her youth.
• Years of excess had damaged his health.

Similar words: overindulgence

Opposites: restraint

Common phrases: youthful excess, excess of youth

The amount by which one number or quantity is greater than another.

• The excess was twenty dollars.
• Calculate the excess of revenue over costs.
• Their income exceeded their expenses, and they saved the excess.

How to use it: the excess of A over B (The excess of income over spending was small.)

Similar words: difference, remainder

Common phrases: excess over costs, excess of income

Greater than the amount that is needed, allowed, or usual.

• Drain off the excess water.
• We paid a fee for excess baggage.
• The machine releases excess heat through these openings.

Similar words: extra, surplus

Common phrases: excess baggage, excess water, excess weight