ENGLISH
REFERENCE

exorbitant

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ɪɡˈzɔɹbɪtənt// UK //ɛɡzˈɔːbɪtənt// ex·or·bi·tant

adj. describing a price or amount of money that is much too high and unfair. You use it when something costs far more than it should.

adj. exceeding the bounds of custom, propriety, or reason, especially regarding price or cost. Often used predicatively after 'be' or 'seem' to criticise a financial demand.


SIMPLE

The hotel charged an exorbitant price for a bottle of water.

CONTEXTUAL

Many residents were forced to move out of the city center because of the exorbitant rent increases.

COMPLEX

While the technology was undeniably groundbreaking, the exorbitant licensing fees prevented smaller firms from adopting it, effectively stifling competition within the industry for several years.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English exorbitant, through Old French from Late Latin exorbitāns, present active participle of exorbitō (“to go out of the track”), from ex (“out”) + orbita (“wheel-track”); see orbit. Compare French exorbitant.

Usage

Typically modifies nouns related to money, such as 'price', 'fee', 'rent', or 'cost'.

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