How to Pronounce “excessive”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/
- British (UK)
- /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/
What “excessive” means
adjective — Exceeding the usual bounds of something; too much (of amount); extravagant; immoderate.
Example: The movie's excessive use of special effects distracted from the plot.
Pronunciation Notes
The final e is silent. The transcription /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “excessive” is not pronounced.
Where the stress falls. “excessive” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "excessive" mean?
excessive (adjective): Exceeding the usual bounds of something; too much (of amount); extravagant; immoderate. For example — The movie's excessive use of special effects distracted from the plot.
How do you pronounce "excessive" in American vs British English?
Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "excessive", /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.
What is the IPA transcription of "excessive"?
/ɪkˈsɛsɪv/ in American English, /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/ in British English.
Which syllable is stressed in "excessive"?
“excessive” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
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