extravagant

American  

[ik-strav-uh-guhnt] / ɪkˈstræv ə gənt /

adjective

1. spending much more than is necessary or wise; wasteful.

   an extravagant shopper.

   Synonyms:

   prodigal, spendthrift, imprudent

   Antonyms:

   thrifty, prudent

2. excessively high.

   extravagant expenses; extravagant prices.

   Synonyms:

   inordinate, excessive, immoderate

   Antonyms:

   moderate

3. exceeding the bounds of reason, as actions, demands, opinions, or passions.

   Synonyms:

   preposterous, absurd, wild, fantastic, unrestrained, unreasonable

   Antonyms:

   reasonable

4. going beyond what is deserved or justifiable.

   extravagant praise.

5. Obsolete. wandering beyond bounds.

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extravagant British  

/ ɪkˈstrævəɡənt /

adjective

1. spending money excessively or immoderately

2. going beyond usual bounds; unrestrained

   extravagant praise

3. ostentatious; showy

4. exorbitant in price; overpriced

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Other Word Forms

• extravagantly adverb
• extravagantness noun
• overextravagant adjective
• overextravagantly adverb
• unextravagant adjective
• unextravagantly adverb

Etymology

Origin of extravagant

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin extrāvagant-, stem of extrāvagāns “wandering beyond,” present participle of extrāvagārī “to wander beyond,” from extrā- extra- + vagārī “to wander”

Explanation

Extravagant is an adjective that means expensive, excessive, and over the top. A modest chandelier in your dining room is normal. But crystal-studded walls and gold-plated goblets? That's a bit extravagant. If you’re prone to lavish behavior or spending, you’re extravagant. It’s an adjective associated with extremes, sometimes even to the point of absurdity. Fees at a bank can be extravagant, and so can a person who insists on drinking only bottled French mineral water out of a golden chalice. Remember that the only ‘e’ is at the beginning — the remaining three vowels are all ‘a.’

Example Sentences

When children's author Sally Gardiner's career first took off, friends assumed her extravagant spending was a byproduct of her newfound success.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Showhouses are always extravagant, and this year’s event takes place inside the 8,000-square-foot former home of Clara Baldwin Stocker, daughter of land investor and racehorse breeder Elias J. “Lucky” Baldwin.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

Ghanaian-Canadian artist Ekow Nimako’s extravagant Afro-futuristic Lego sculptures pay homage to the African continent’s varied histories and cultures, using a Danish-created product to center Black people and stories.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

But all things wouldn’t be equal, because solid-state batteries wouldn’t need the extravagant cooling systems required by NMCs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

Jalabhar Xho was all in feathers, a plumage so fantastic and extravagant that he seemed like to take flight.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Related Words

• absurd
• bizarre
• bling
• blingy
• costly
• exaggerated
• excessive
• exorbitant
• expensive
• fanciful
• fancy
• fantastic
• flamboyant
• flashy
• garish
• gaudy
• grandiose
• implausible
• lavish
• ludicrous