What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
profusion
Example
The garden was filled with a profusion of colorful flowers. [profusion: noun]
Example
The party was decorated with a profusion of balloons and streamers. [profusion: noun]
excess
Example
He ate to excess and felt sick afterwards. [excess: noun]
Example
Her spending habits were excessive and caused her financial problems. [excessive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Excess is more commonly used than profusion in everyday language. Excess is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while profusion is less common and usually reserved for more formal or literary writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between profusion and excess?
While profusion is typically associated with a formal or literary tone, excess can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be used in a wider range of situations.