excessively

excessively
exceedingly, excessively
Both words came into use in the late 15c. Exceedingly (16c in its current meaning) means ‘very, extremely’, and is now used only with adjectives and adverbs (most often well):

• His room was exceedingly cold —P. Fitzgerald, 1982

• Judd was doing exceedingly well as an air cadet —C. Lorrimer, 1993.

Excessively has a much stronger meaning ‘too, by too much’, and is used with verbs as well as adjectives and adverbs:

• She may exercise excessively, spending hours each day in the gymnasium —Abraham & Llewellyn-Jones, 1984

• In Enid Blyton's work, this excessively simple world picture is carried to extremes —N. Tucker, 1981.


Modern English usage. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • excessively — index unduly Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • excessively — adverb a) To an excessive degree. The application form was excessively complicated. b) In excess. He smoked excessively …   Wiktionary

  • excessively — excessive UK US /ɪkˈsesɪv/ adjective ► too much or too many: »Some property owners complained that they were being charged excessive fees. »The directive will prevent employees from working excessive hours. »Investing offshore is only worthwhile… …   Financial and business terms

  • excessively — adv. Excessively is used with these adjectives: ↑cautious, ↑intrusive, ↑long, ↑optimistic, ↑rigid, ↑shy Excessively is used with these verbs: ↑drink, ↑perspire, ↑worry …   Collocations dictionary

  • excessively — See exceedingly. See exceedingly, excessively …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • excessively — adverb her father had excessively high standards Syn: inordinately, unduly, unnecessarily, unreasonably, ridiculously, overly; very, extremely, exceedingly, exceptionally, impossibly; immoderately, intemperately; ad nauseam …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • excessively — excessive ► ADJECTIVE ▪ more than is necessary, normal, or desirable. DERIVATIVES excessively adverb excessiveness noun …   English terms dictionary

  • excessively bold — index presumptuous Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • excessively confident — index presumptuous Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • excessively critical — index particular (exacting) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”