Explanation at your level:
When something is more than a number, we say it exceeds. If you have 5 apples and you get 6, you exceed 5. It is a big word for 'more than'.
You use exceed when you go over a limit. For example, if the speed limit is 50 and you go 60, you exceed the limit. It means 'to be more than'.
Exceed is a formal way to say 'surpass'. We often use it with numbers or rules. For instance, if your luggage is too heavy, it exceeds the weight limit. It is very common in travel and business.
In B2, you learn that exceed carries a sense of formality. You might hear 'The results exceeded our projections,' which is a professional way of saying the results were better than we thought.
At the C1 level, exceed is used to describe abstract concepts. We talk about exceeding one's authority or exceeding the scope of a project. It implies a crossing of a boundary that was set by policy or social norms.
Mastering exceed involves understanding its nuance in legal and technical discourse. It is often used in contrast to 'within limits'. When a situation exceeds the parameters of a study, it implies a need for further investigation. It is a precise tool for defining the limits of human or mechanical performance.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Exceed means to go beyond a limit.
- It is a regular verb.
- It is common in professional and formal English.
- Synonyms include surpass and outdo.
Hey there! Think of exceed as the word you use when something just won't stay inside the lines. Whether it's a speed limit on the highway or your personal best in a race, when you go beyond that line, you exceed it.
It is a very useful verb for talking about numbers, rules, and even emotions. If you have a budget of $50 and you spend $60, you have exceeded your budget. It’s not necessarily a bad thing—sometimes exceeding expectations is exactly what you want to do!
The word exceed travels back to the Latin word excedere. This is a combination of ex- (meaning 'out') and cedere (meaning 'to go'). So, literally, it means 'to go out' or 'to go away'.
It entered Middle English through Old French in the 14th century. Interestingly, it shares a root with the word concede and precede. While those words mean 'to yield' or 'to go before', exceed kept the sense of moving past a boundary. It’s a classic example of how Latin roots shape our modern English vocabulary.
You will mostly find exceed in formal or semi-formal settings. It is very common in business reports, legal documents, and news articles. You wouldn't typically say 'I exceeded my lunch' to a friend; you'd say 'I ate too much.'
Common pairings include exceed expectations, exceed the limit, and exceed the capacity. Using this word adds a layer of precision to your writing that shows you really understand the scale of what you are describing.
While exceed itself isn't always in an idiom, it is the core of phrases like:
- Exceed all expectations: To perform much better than anyone thought possible.
- Exceed the bounds of decency: To behave in a way that is considered rude or unacceptable.
- Exceed one's authority: To do something you aren't allowed to do.
- Exceed the speed limit: To drive faster than the law allows.
- Exceed the norm: To be significantly different from the average.
Exceed is a regular verb. Its past tense is exceeded and the present participle is exceeding. The stress is on the second syllable: ik-SEED.
It rhymes with proceed, recede, concede, deed, and need. Remember, it is a transitive verb, meaning it almost always needs an object. You don't just 'exceed'; you 'exceed something.' It is a great word to use when you want to sound professional and clear.
Fun Fact
It shares the same root as 'process' and 'recede'.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'ik' sound followed by a long 'ee' and a soft 'd'.
Similar to UK, very standard pronunciation.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'ex-seed' with a hard 'x'.
- Mixing up 'exceed' and 'accede'.
- Shortening the 'ee' sound.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to understand in context.
Easy to use in formal writing.
Common in professional speaking.
Clear pronunciation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
Transitive Verbs
He exceeded the limit.
Subject-Verb Agreement
The cost exceeds the budget.
Past Tense Regular Verbs
The cost exceeded the budget.
Examples by Level
The number exceeds ten.
The number is more than ten.
Simple subject-verb-object.
Do not exceed the limit.
Do not go over the limit.
Imperative form.
It exceeds my budget.
It is more money than I have.
Possessive pronoun.
The heat exceeds normal levels.
The heat is higher than usual.
Subject-verb agreement.
She exceeds her goals.
She does more than her goals.
Third-person singular.
Costs exceed income.
Costs are higher than money coming in.
Plural subject.
The time exceeded one hour.
The time was more than an hour.
Past tense.
They exceed expectations.
They are better than expected.
Common collocation.
The car exceeded the speed limit.
The water level exceeded the wall.
My work exceeded the requirement.
The crowd exceeded 500 people.
The noise exceeded safe levels.
His skill exceeded mine.
The demand exceeded the supply.
We exceeded our sales goal.
The candidate exceeded all expectations.
The company's profits exceeded last year's.
Do not exceed the recommended dose.
The project exceeded its deadline.
The temperature exceeded 40 degrees.
His talent exceeds his training.
The damage exceeded our estimates.
The weight exceeded the bridge's capacity.
The response exceeded our wildest dreams.
The complexity of the task exceeded our resources.
She never allowed her emotions to exceed her logic.
The actual cost far exceeded the initial quote.
The intensity of the storm exceeded all predictions.
The growth rate exceeded market trends.
The beauty of the view exceeded words.
The duration of the meeting exceeded two hours.
The sheer volume of data exceeded our processing power.
His arrogance exceeded his actual ability.
The impact of the policy exceeded its original intent.
The moral implications exceed simple legal definitions.
The performance exceeded the benchmark by a wide margin.
The scope of the investigation exceeded initial boundaries.
The risks involved exceed the potential benefits.
The influence of his work exceeds his own lifetime.
The sublime nature of the landscape exceeded all artistic representation.
The bureaucratic requirements exceeded the patience of the applicants.
The audacity of the plan exceeded conventional wisdom.
The magnitude of the discovery exceeds all historical precedent.
The emotional toll exceeded what she could bear.
The sophistication of the design exceeds current technology.
The nuance of the argument exceeds a simple summary.
The gravity of the situation exceeds our current understanding.
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"exceed oneself"
To do better than you have ever done before.
She really exceeded herself in this performance.
neutral"go beyond the call of duty"
To do more than is required.
He exceeded the call of duty for his team.
formal"above and beyond"
More than is expected.
He went above and beyond.
neutral"out of bounds"
Beyond the allowed area or behavior.
That comment was out of bounds.
neutral"off the charts"
Exceeding normal measurements.
His enthusiasm was off the charts.
casual"break the record"
To exceed the previous best.
He broke the record for the marathon.
neutralEasily Confused
Similar sound.
Accede means to agree; exceed means to go over.
He acceded to the request vs He exceeded the limit.
Same root.
Excess is a noun/adjective; exceed is a verb.
An excess of food vs To exceed the limit.
Rhymes.
Proceed means to continue; exceed means to go over.
Please proceed vs Do not exceed.
Rhymes.
Recede means to move back; exceed means to go forward/over.
The tide receded vs The costs exceeded.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + exceeds + noun
The cost exceeds the budget.
Subject + exceeded + expectation
The movie exceeded my expectations.
It + is + exceeded + by + noun
The limit is exceeded by the driver.
Far + exceed + noun
The results far exceed our goals.
Cannot + exceed + noun
We cannot exceed the limit.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
Exceed is a transitive verb; it takes an object directly.
Exceed already means 'more than', so don't double it.
You don't need a preposition here.
Keep it concise.
Exceed doesn't use 'than'.
Tips
When Native Speakers Use It
In business meetings when talking about targets.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use 'more' with exceed.
Study Smart
Group it with 'surpass' and 'outdo'.
Did You Know?
It comes from Latin for 'to go out'.
Grammar Shortcut
Exceed + noun = direct object.
Say It Right
Focus on the long 'ee' sound.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a balloon popping because it exceeded its size.
Cultural Insight
It's a positive word in performance reviews.
Formal vs Casual
Use it in writing, not casual texting.
Flashcards
Put 'exceed' on one side and 'limit' on the other.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Ex-seed: You planted a seed, but it grew so much it EX-ceeded the garden!
Visual Association
A speedometer needle pointing into the red zone.
Word Web
Défi
Write three sentences about things you have done that exceeded expectations.
Origine du mot
Latin
Original meaning: To go out or go beyond.
Contexte culturel
None, it is a neutral term.
Commonly used in professional performance reviews.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- Exceed targets
- Exceed expectations
- Exceed the deadline
Driving
- Exceed the speed limit
- Exceed the legal speed
- Exceed safe limits
Finance
- Exceed the budget
- Exceed the cost
- Exceed the limit
Education
- Exceed the word count
- Exceed the criteria
- Exceed expectations
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever exceeded your own expectations?"
"What happens when a company exceeds its budget?"
"Is it ever good to exceed the speed limit?"
"How do you feel when you exceed a goal?"
"Can you think of a time when demand exceeded supply?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you worked hard and exceeded your goals.
Describe a situation where you had to stay within a limit.
Why is it important for companies to exceed customer expectations?
Reflect on a time you were told not to exceed a certain limit.
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsYes, it is a verb.
No, it is a transitive verb.
Excess.
Yes, it is generally used in professional contexts.
ik-SEED.
Yes, they are very similar.
Yes, e.g., 'He exceeded his own records.'
Yes.
Teste-toi
Do not ___ the speed limit.
Exceed is the correct verb for going over a limit.
Which means 'more than'?
Exceed means to be more than a limit.
Exceed is a noun.
Exceed is a verb.
Word
Signification
These are synonyms.
Subject + verb + object.
Score : /5
Summary
Exceed is the perfect word to use when you want to describe something that has gone beyond a set boundary or expectation.
- Exceed means to go beyond a limit.
- It is a regular verb.
- It is common in professional and formal English.
- Synonyms include surpass and outdo.
When Native Speakers Use It
In business meetings when talking about targets.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use 'more' with exceed.
Study Smart
Group it with 'surpass' and 'outdo'.
Did You Know?
It comes from Latin for 'to go out'.
Exemple
Drivers are warned not to exceed the speed limit in residential areas.
Related Content
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Plus de mots sur Math
proportion
A2Une proportion est une partie d'un tout, souvent comparée à la totalité. Elle décrit aussi la relation entre deux choses.
spatial
C1Qui concerne l'espace, la position, la taille et la disposition des objets dans un environnement donné.
count
A2Cela signifie calculer le nombre total d'objets. On l'utilise aussi pour dire que quelque chose a de l'importance ou de la valeur.
circumferize
C1The act or process of establishing a circular boundary, perimeter, or limit around a specific entity or location. It is frequently used in technical or abstract contexts to describe the systematic containment or demarcation of an area.
remainder
A1C'est ce qui reste après avoir retiré ou utilisé une partie. En maths, c'est le reste d'une division.
arithmetical
B2Relating to the branch of mathematics that deals with the properties and manipulation of numbers. It specifically describes processes involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
squares
B1Une forme avec quatre côtés de même longueur et quatre angles droits. On l'utilise aussi pour décrire des objets ayant cette forme.
bipunctancy
C1To analyze, mark, or divide a subject based on two distinct points or criteria simultaneously. It describes the act of dual-focusing or splitting an observation into two specific vectors for comparison or verification.
approximation
B2A value, representation, or result that is very close to the truth but not completely accurate or exact. It is frequently used in mathematics, science, and everyday life when precise figures are unknown or unnecessary.
circles
B1Une forme parfaitement ronde où tous les points du bord sont à égale distance du centre. Ça peut aussi désigner des cercles sociaux.
