How to pronounce excessive
Say it like ik-SES-iv. Excessive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce excessive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ik
- SES
- iv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Excessive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of excessive
American and British speakers say excessive in essentially the same way: /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/ in the US and /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: ik-SES-iv.
What does excessive mean?
- beyond normal limits“excessive charges”“a book of inordinate length”
- unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings“extravagant praise”“exuberant compliments”
Where does excessive come from?
From Middle English excessive, excessif, from Old French excessif, from Medieval Latin excessivus, equivalent to excess + -ive.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with excessive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of excessive.
- impressive
- progressive
- aggressive
- successive
- oppressive
- expressive
- obsessive
- depressive
- possessive
- repressive
Questions about saying excessive
How do you pronounce excessive?
Say ik-SES-iv. The American pronunciation is /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/. In British English it is /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in excessive?
Excessive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SES). Broken into parts: ik · SES · iv.
Do Americans and Brits say excessive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/ and the British form is /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.