too

[too]

adverb

1. in addition; also; furthermore; moreover.

   young, clever, and rich too.

2. to an excessive extent or degree; beyond what is desirable, fitting, or right.

   too sick to travel.

3. more, as specified, than should be.

   too near the fire.

4. (used as an affirmative to contradict a negative statement).

   I am too!

5. extremely; very.

   She wasn't too pleased with his behavior.

too

/ tuː /

adverb

1. as well; in addition; also

   can I come too?

2. in or to an excessive degree; more than a fitting or desirable amount

   I have too many things to do

3. extremely

   you're too kind

4. informal,  indeed: used to reinforce a command

   you will too do it!

5. certainly; indeed

Word History and Origins

Origin of too¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English to, Old English, stressed variant of to (for the adverb); spelling too since the 16th century

Word History and Origins

Origin of too¹

Old English tō; related to Old Frisian, Old Saxon to, Old High German zou; see _to ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. only too. only.

More idioms and phrases containing too

• (too) close to home
• carry too far
• eat one's cake and have it, too
• go too far
• irons in the fire, too many
• life is too short
• none too
• not (too) bad
• only too
• speak too soon
• spread oneself too thin
• take on (too much)

Example Sentences

She’s always seeking her father, not just in Skinner the soldier but in herself too, the remnants of his presence thrumming through her memory.

From Los Angeles Times

First seen cycling his city’s streets day and night with a becalmed sense of ownership, Holland’s Roger is a die-hard Brooklynite none too happy with the smoothing over of his cherished neighborhoods by “obscene” money.

From Los Angeles Times

"For too long Labour have taken your votes for granted, they've sat back and let Wales become the poor man of Britain."

From BBC

England, too, will be looking to the future.

From BBC

Remove the veil of folklore, and the plot isn’t too different from Oliphant’s career as an unrestrained cartoonist, whose satirical illustrations drew the ire of power-hungry politicians and like-minded megalomaniacs all over the world.

From Salon

Related Words

• awfully 
• ever 
• exceptionally 
• extremely 
• highly 
• immensely 
• overly 
• remarkably 
• unduly 
• very 

When To Use

What's the difference between too, to, and two?

Too means also (I’m going, too) or to an excessive degree (too much). To is a very common word that performs many different functions, such as expressing direction (I’m driving to the office) or contact (Pin it to the wall), indicating an object or recipient (Give it to me), or setting a range (9 to 5) or limit (These go to 11). Two is the number equal to one plus one.The words are used in very different ways: too is an adverb, to is most commonly used as a preposition, and two is a number that can be used as a noun or an adjective.Perhaps the most common mistake involving the three words is using to when it should be too, or vice versa. Remember, if you mean to, don’t use too many o’s!Here’s an example of too, to, and two used correctly in the same sentence.Example: We went to two two-star restaurants, and it was two two-star restaurants too many!Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between too, to, and two.