- 1[singular, uncountable] more than is necessary, reasonable, or acceptable You can throw away any excess. excess of something Are you suffering from an excess of stress in your life? In an excess of enthusiasm I agreed to work late. He started drinking to excess after losing his job. The increase will not be in excess of (= more than) two percent.
- 2[countable, uncountable] an amount by which something is larger than something else We cover costs up to $600 and then you pay the excess.
- 3excesses [plural] extreme behavior that is unacceptable, illegal, or immoral We need a free press to curb government excesses. legislation to control the worst excesses of the press and the courts in relation to rape cases
Check pronunciation: excess