excesive

Excesive is not a standard English word. It is commonly encountered as a misspelling of excessive, the adjective used to describe something that goes beyond what is necessary, appropriate, or normal.

The correct form, excessive, originates from Latin roots. It derives from excessivus, from excedere, meaning to go beyond. The word entered English in the late 16th century and has since been used to describe degrees of quantity, degree, or behavior that are more than what is reasonable or acceptable.

Excessive is used across many domains to convey overabundance or extremity. Examples include excessive force, excessive noise, excessive spending, excessive drinking, and excessive competition. In legal, medical, and policy contexts, writers often specify that the action or condition was excessive rather than merely high or significant. The term is typically attributive and predicative, as in an excessive amount, excessive punishment, or the penalty was excessive.

Common misspellings such as exessive or excesive are considered incorrect in standard English; the preferred spelling is excessive. In editing and proofreading, attention to the double “s” and the “iv” ending helps avoid this error. Related terms include excess (noun), excessiveness (noun), excessiveness (rare), and adverbs such as excessively. Antonyms include moderate, reasonable, and appropriate.

See also: excess, excessiveness, excessively.