The noun is pronounced /ɪkses/. The adjective is pronounced /ekses/.
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
An excess of something is a larger amount than is needed, allowed, or usual.
An excess of house plants in a small flat can be oppressive...
Polyunsaturated oils are essential for health. Excess is harmful, however.
N-VAR : with supp , usu a N of n
2.
Excess is used to describe amounts that are greater than what is needed, allowed, or usual.
After cooking the fish, pour off any excess fat...
= surplus
ADJ : ADJ n
3.
Excess is behaviour that is unacceptable because it is considered too extreme or immoral.
She said she was sick of her life of excess.
...adolescent excess.
N-UNCOUNT : also N in pl
4.
Excess is used to refer to additional amounts of money that need to be paid for services and activities that were not originally planned or taken into account. ( FORMAL )
...a letter demanding an excess fare of £20...
ADJ : ADJ n
5.
The excess on an insurance policy is a sum of money which the insured person has to pay towards the cost of a claim. The insurance company pays the rest. ( BRIT BUSINESS, TECHNICAL )
The company wanted £1,800 for a policy with a £400 excess for under-21s.
N-COUNT : usu sing
6.
In excess of means more than a particular amount. ( FORMAL )
Avoid deposits in excess of £20,000 in any one account...
PREP-PHRASE : PREP amount
7.
If you do something to excess , you do it too much.
I was reasonably fit, played a lot of tennis, and didn’t smoke or drink to excess...
PHRASE : PHR after v [ disapproval ]