excessivo

Excessivo is a Portuguese adjective meaning excessive or undue, used to describe something that goes beyond what is reasonable, necessary, or accepted. It can modify quantities, costs, demands, or behaviors, and is employed across formal and informal contexts. In economics, policy, and law, it often characterizes levels, penalties, or controls that are larger than appropriate.

Etymology and related forms: excessivo derives from Latin excessivus, from excessus meaning exceeding or an overstep. The term has cognates in related Romance languages, such as excessivo in Portuguese, excessivo or excesivo in other varieties, and similar forms in Spanish (excesivo) and Italian (eccessivo). The root conveys the idea of surpassing a defined limit.

Usage and nuance: excessivo typically emphasizes surpassing a normative boundary rather than simply being unusual. It is frequently paired with nouns like gastos excessivos (excessive spending), consumo excessivo de água (excessive water consumption), preços/excesso de preço (excessive prices), ou punições excessivas (excessive penalties). In everyday language, it can describe behavior, demands, or aesthetic choices considered overly extravagant or unbalanced.

Examples of typical collocations include gastos excessivos, custo excessivo, peso excessivo, medidas excessivas, and sanções/punições excessivas. The term often appears in discussions about regulation, consumer protection, and environmental or resource management, where excessive use or pricing calls for policy response.

See also: excesso (noun for excess), exagerado (synonym meaning exaggerated), exceder (to exceed).