Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| eccessivo | /et.t͡ʃesˈsi.vo/ |
| smodato | /zmoˈda.to/ |
Both eccessivo and smodato are used to describe something that is excessive. If you want to describe the action of spending money in a lavish manner, you can use the phrase spendere profusamente. Related verbs for bestowing or squandering things with profusion include prodigare, profondere and spendere profusamente.
Which one should you use?
Eccessivo is a general term for 'excessive'. In contrast, smodato often carries a connotation of being 'unmeasured' or 'out of proportion' and it is frequently used to describe abstract qualities such as passion or ambition.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective eccessivo must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. It takes the form eccessiva for feminine singular nouns, eccessivi for masculine plural nouns and eccessive for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
eccessivo is pronounced /et.tʃesˈsi.vo/ and has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'lavish' to praise someone's generosity, using smodato to describe a person's character often sounds like a moral judgment or a criticism of their lack of self-control.
- The verb prodigare, used for lavishly spending or giving, shares a root with the English word 'prodigal'.
- The word smodato contains a hidden 's' that acts as a negation, much like the English 'un-' or 'in-'. It essentially transforms the word 'mode' or 'measure' into 'unmeasured'.
Examples in context
- La festa è stata organizzata in modo molto opulentoThe party was organized in a very lavish way
- Ha organizzato una festa stravagante per il suo compleannoHe organized a lavish party for his birthday
- Il ristorante era davvero lussuoso, con arredi elegantiThe restaurant was really lavish, with elegant furnishings
- Hanno speso una quantità sfrenata di soldi per la vacanzaThey spent a lavish amount of money on the vacation
- La casa è arredata in modo sfarzosoThe house is furnished in a lavish manner
- Il consumo di zucchero è eccessivo.The consumption of sugar is excessive.
- Il prezzo è eccessivo per questo servizio.The price is excessive for this service.
- Il rumore in strada è diventato eccessivo.The noise in the street has become excessive.
Example conversation
Francesco and Martina are looking at an expensive menu.
- FrancescoGuarda i prezzi di questi piatti, Martina!Look at the prices of these dishes, Martina!
- MartinaSì, trovo che questo prezzo sia eccessivo.Yes, I find this price to be excessive.
- FrancescoForse dovremmo cambiare ristorante.Maybe we should change restaurants.
- MartinaSono d'accordo, andiamo via.I agree, let's leave.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lavish” translations and entries eccessivo, smodato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries eccessivo, smodato, CC BY-SA 4.0.
