exorbitant

[ig-zawr-bi-tuhnt]

adjective

1. exceeding the bounds of custom, propriety, or reason, especially in amount or extent; highly excessive.

   to charge an exorbitant price; exorbitant luxury.

2. Archaic.,  outside the authority of the law.

exorbitant

/ ɪɡˈzɔːbɪtənt /

adjective

1. (of prices, demands, etc) in excess of what is reasonable; excessive; extravagant; immoderate

Other Word Forms

• exorbitantly adverb
• unexorbitant adjective
• unexorbitantly adverb
• exorbitance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of exorbitant¹

1425–75; late Middle English < Late Latin exorbitant- (stem of exorbitāns, present participle of exorbitāre to go out of the track), equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + orbit ( a ) wheel track ( orbit ) + -ant- -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of exorbitant¹

C15: from Late Latin exorbitāre to deviate, from Latin orbita track

Example Sentences

Despite exorbitant prices, the match was virtually sold out.

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The issue was highlighted by widespread public anger over the exorbitant cost of some tickets to see the British leg of Britpop band Oasis's reunion tour this year.

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The issue was highlighted by widespread public anger over the exorbitant cost of some tickets to see the British leg of Britpop band Oasis's reunion tour this year.

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After their exorbitant spending the last couple winters, even his potentially $400 million to $500 million price tag didn’t seem out of their range.

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He and his wife are retired and with the "exorbitant price of food these days" they decided to give their time to help others.

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Related Words

• enormous 
• inordinate 
• outrageous 
• pricey 
• steep 
• unconscionable 
• unreasonable 
• unwarranted