maßlos

Maßlos is a German adjective and adverb meaning immoderate, excessive, or without measure. It describes actions, quantities, or emotions that go beyond what is reasonable or acceptable. The term can be used attributively, as in maßlose Ausgaben or maßloser Ehrgeiz, or predicatively, as in Die Verschwendung war maßlos. When used before adjectives, maßlos often functions as a degree modifier, for example maßlos glücklich or maßlos beeindruckt.

Etymology and forms: Maßlos is formed from Maß (measure) + los (without), literally “without measure.” The related noun is Maßlosigkeit, referring to immoderation or lack of restraint. The word retains a strong evaluative tone and is typically used to express critique or emphasis.

Usage notes: Maßlos usually carries a strong negative or critical connotation, describing excesses such as waste, ambition, or violence. In some contexts, it can be used for emphatic effect in a more neutral or even positive sense, for instance to stress extreme joy, though such usage is less common and often depends on tone and context. The antonyms include maßvoll and moderat, referring to restraint and moderation.

Related terms: Maß (measure), Maßstab (standard, yardstick), Maßlosigkeit (immoderation). In literary and journalistic German, Maßlos is a recognizable intensifier for emphasizing the degree of excess in a given scenario.