extravaganza

American  

[ik-strav-uh-gan-zuh] / ɪkˌstræv əˈgæn zə /

noun

• extravaganzas
  plural

1. a musical or dramatic composition or production, as comic opera or musical comedy, marked by a loose structure, a frivolous theme, and elaborate costuming and staging.

2. any lavish or opulent show, event, assemblage, etc..

   an extravaganza of new housewares on the twelfth floor.

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extravaganza British  

/ ɪkˌstrævəˈɡænzə /

noun

1. an elaborately staged and costumed light entertainment

2. any lavish or fanciful display, literary or other composition, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• extravaganzas
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of extravaganza

1745–55; alteration of Italian ( e ) stravaganza extravagance

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Explanation

Halftime at the Super Bowl, the Oscar awards ceremony, or the opera Aida performed at the Baths of Caracalla — each of these is an extravaganza, a big, splashy, extravagant entertainment or celebration. The word extravaganza comes from the Italian word estravaganza (or stravaganza), which was an elaborate literary or musical production. When the word appeared in English in the mid-18th century, English speakers turned the estra- into extra- because after all, an elaborate entertainment could certainly be called something "extra." Aida at the Baths of Caracalla, complete with horses, astonishing costumes, and faux-Egyptian temples — now that's an extravaganza.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

extravaganza extravaganzas

"It is a two-hour extravaganza as the Moon slowly covers the Sun and then moves away again so it is not just one glimpse, and it is really dangerous to keep looking."

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

This summer’s North American World Cup, a month-long extravaganza that smashed records for viewership, attendance and revenue, seemed like the culmination of soccer’s long campaign to tap in to the abundant wealth of the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

What started as a two-month tour across the U.S. and parts of Canada is now a strategically placed, five-date extravaganza starting this weekend in Long Beach.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

Coldplay's Chris Martin is curating the extravaganza, a first for a football World Cup final and one that has raised concerns over how long the game's halftime break will be.

From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026

I started off by telling Dr. Doris about the whole dduk extravaganza, and I went into detail and really “opened up” and “expressed myself” like Dad told me to.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller

It’s like a freaky evolution of the human-mishap extravaganzas that progressed from “America’s Funniest Home Videos” to “Jackass” to subreddits like Whatcouldgowrong to viral clips crashing my algorithm.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

The brand, valued at $1bn, became known for its runway extravaganzas, reminiscent of a modern alternative to the iconic Victoria's Secret shows, but this time with every body type on display.

From BBC ● Feb. 1, 2025

Trump hosted WrestleMania extravaganzas at his hotels and made numerous appearances at matches.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 3, 2024

But it’s worth noting that the ACC, Big Ten and Big 12 will hold their football media extravaganzas in July, before the 10 schools are actually members.

From Seattle Times ● May 20, 2024

In fact they cared not at all about the war, about scientific inventions, about the advance of industry, the price of gold, or the latest extravaganzas in the world of fashion.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

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Related Words

• pageant
• spectacular

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