# extravagance

/ɛkˈstɹævəɡəns/ (US) · /ɛkstɹˈævəɡəns/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/extravagance
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

the act of spending too much money on things that are not necessary. It describes a style of living that is very expensive and often wasteful.

For teachers: the quality of being wastefully or recklessly expensive. Often refers to a lifestyle or expenditure that exceeds what is strictly necessary or prudent.

## Examples

- The family's extravagance led to serious financial problems.
- The new CEO promised to cut back on corporate extravagance and focus on more practical spending.
- While the palace was a marvel of architectural beauty, its sheer extravagance served as a constant reminder of the wealth gap between the royal family and the common people.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.