extravagance
[ik-strav-uh-guh ns]
- excessive or unnecessary expenditure or outlay of money.
- an instance of this: That sports car is an inexcusable extravagance.
- unrestrained or fantastic excess, as of actions or opinions.
- an extravagant action, notion, etc.: the extravagances one commits in moments of stress.
Origin of extravagance
Synonyms
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com3. lavishness, profusion.
Antonyms
1. frugality.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for extravagance
Contemporary Examples
Unfortunately, despite the extravagance of the parades, Putin was not there to witness the festivities.
Gaga may call ARTPOP her new look, but it seems that the singer's need for extravagance is part of her same old tricks.
Many have accused the Spanish royals of living a life of extravagance using public funds, even as much of Spain is suffering.
Many celebrities opted to donate their wares to charity, and the extravagance—and value—of the bags have gone down over the years.
Charles's extravagance is undoubtedly a factor in his low popularity ratings.
Historical Examples
Jeffersonian simplicity is preached; extravagance is practised.
'Tis Sixty Years SinceCharles Francis Adams
Burlesque, farce and extravagance of situation and dialogue.
The Dramatic Values in PlautusWilton Wallace Blancke
There are worse faults to be laid to his account than lechery and extravagance.
The Man ShakespeareFrank Harris
She was plain; she was simple; but it was the costly simplicity of extravagance.
Her Father's DaughterGene Stratton-Porter
The extravagance of some of the early Quakers has been grossly exaggerated.
The Works of Whittier, Volume VI (of VII)John Greenleaf Whittier
extravagance
- excessive outlay of money; wasteful spending
- immoderate or absurd speech or behaviour
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for extravagance
n.
1640s, from French extravagance, from Late Latin extravagantem (see extravagant). Specifically of wasteful spending from 1727. Extravagancy is attested from c.1600.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper