ENGLISH
REFERENCE

extravagant

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ɛkˈstɹævəɡənt// UK //ɛkstɹˈævəɡənt// ex·trav·a·gant

adj. spending much more money than you need to, or being more expensive and fancy than is necessary.

adj. exceeding what is reasonable or appropriate in cost, scale, or display; characterized by wasteful or excessive expenditure.


SIMPLE

She bought an extravagant dress for the party.

CONTEXTUAL

The company's extravagant spending on luxury travel led to a serious budget deficit by the end of the year.

COMPLEX

While the architecture was undeniably beautiful, many critics argued that such an extravagant monument was an insult to the impoverished citizens living in its shadow.

Synonyms
Origin

Inherited from Middle English extravagaunt, from Middle French extravagant and its etymon Medieval Latin extravagans, present participle of extravagor (“to wander beyond”), from Latin extra (“beyond”) + vagor (“to wander, stray”).

Usage

Often used to describe lifestyles, gifts, or claims; can be used predicatively after linking verbs like 'seem' or 'become'.

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