How Do You Spell EXCESSIVE?

Pronunciation: [ɛksˈɛsɪv] (IPA)

The word "excessive" is spelled with the letter "c" after the letter "s" in the middle of the word. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/. The "c" is pronounced as "s" in this word because it follows another "s" which produces a "ss" sound. This is known as the "double s" or "long s" rule. When a vowel follows a "c" after "s", the "c" is pronounced as "k". Knowing these spelling rules can help improve written communication and avoid common spelling errors.

EXCESSIVE Meaning and Definition

  1. "Excessive" is an adjective that describes something that surpasses what is considered appropriate, normal, or necessary. It conveys the idea of going beyond reasonable limits or boundaries.

    When applied to a person's behavior, "excessive" suggests actions or characteristics that are overly abundant, extreme, immoderate, or marked by exaggeration. It implies a lack of restraint, measure, or self-control, often resulting in actions that are considered unreasonable, intemperate, or disproportionate. For instance, someone who eats excessively may consume more food than what is required for sustenance, leading to issues of obesity or related health problems.

    Furthermore, "excessive" can be used to describe objects, qualities, or phenomena that are disproportionately large, copious, or intense compared to what is typical or expected in a given context. This could refer to an excessive amount of information, excessive noise, excessive force, or an excessive display of emotions.

    The term can also denote a situation where a certain behavior or quality is present in a degree that is unnecessary or beyond what is considered desirable or suitable. For instance, excessive concern for cleanliness may result in an obsessive-compulsive disorder, or excessive politeness may be interpreted as insincere.

    In summary, "excessive" implies going beyond reasonable limits, boundaries, or quantities, whether it refers to actions, quantities, qualities, or behaviors. It denotes an abundance or intensity that is considered disproportionate, immoderate, or unnecessary within a given context.

  2. Being in excess; beyond any given measure or limit; unreasonable; extreme.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for EXCESSIVE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for EXCESSIVE

Etymology of EXCESSIVE

The word excessive is derived from the Latin word excessivus, which is formed from the stem excess- meaning surpassing, going beyond. The Latin stem is derived from the verb excedere, meaning to go out, go beyond, surpass. This verb is composed of the prefix ex- (out) and cedere (to go). Thus, excessive came into English with the meaning of going beyond normal or reasonable limits.

Similar spelling words for EXCESSIVE

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