What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
excessively
Example
She was excessively worried about her exam results. [excessively: adverb]
Example
The company spent excessively on their marketing campaign. [excessively: adverb]
overly
Example
He was overly critical of his colleague's work. [overly: adverb]
Example
The teacher was overly strict with her students. [overly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overly is more commonly used than excessively in everyday language. Overly is more versatile and can be used in various contexts, while excessively is less common and more formal.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between excessively and overly?
Excessively is more formal than overly. Therefore, excessively is more appropriate for formal writing or speaking, while overly is more appropriate for informal situations.
