Extravagant

/ɪkˈstravəɡənt/

adjectivemedium📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Spending, costing, or using more than is reasonable or necessary.

/ɪkˈstravəɡənt/

adjectivenegativemedium
General

Spending or costing too much; excessive.

The wedding was an extravagant affair with hundreds of guests and elaborate decorations.

💡 Simply: Think of someone who's going a little overboard with their spending. Like, buying way too many shoes or splurging on a ridiculously expensive meal when a simple sandwich would do. It's about going beyond what's needed or expected.

👶 For kids: When something is extravagant, it's like it has too much of something, like too many toys or too much glitter.

More Examples

2

She lives an extravagant lifestyle, frequently traveling and dining at expensive restaurants.

3

The company's extravagant investment in new technology did not yield the expected returns.

How It's Used

Finance

"He was known for his extravagant spending habits."

Art & Design

"The artist used extravagant colors in the painting."

2

Going beyond what is usual, proper, or expected in behavior, actions or displays.

/ɪkˈstravəɡənt/

adjectiveneutralAdvanced
General

Exceeding the limits of what is usual or proper.

He offered an extravagant apology, showering her with flowers and gifts.

💡 Simply: Picture someone's gestures or compliments being a bit over the top. Like, if they showered you with an extravagant amount of compliments or gifts that felt a bit too much, it's like they are being 'extravagant' in their expression.

👶 For kids: When something is extravagant, it means it is a bit extra.

More Examples

2

The company's extravagant claims about its products were difficult to believe.

3

The building's extravagant architecture caught the eye of every passerby.

How It's Used

Fashion

"Her hat was quite extravagant."

Personal behavior

"His apologies were quite extravagant."

Tip:Like wandering 'extra' (extra-extravagant) from the norm.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

extravagant gesture

A gesture that is excessive or dramatic.

"He made an extravagant gesture, offering her all his worldly possessions."

Extravagant in one's praise

to praise someone or something excessively or with excessive enthusiasm

"The critics were extravagant in their praise of the new film."

From Latin *extravagans*, present participle of *extravagari* ('to wander beyond, exceed'), from *extra* ('beyond') + *vagari* ('to wander').

The word 'extravagant' has been used since the 15th century to describe excessive spending or behavior.

Memory tip

Imagine a traveling vagrant (vagrant-extravagant) who spends all their money without a care for the future.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to wander beyond, exceed"

Base: extravagant
extravagant spendingextravagant lifestyleextravagant claimsextravagant displayextravagant gesturesextravagant praise

Common misspellings

extravagentextreavagent

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written