exorbitant

American  

[ig-zawr-bi-tuhnt] / ɪgˈzɔr bɪ tənt /

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.

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exorbitant British  

/ ɪɡˈzɔːbɪtənt /

adjective

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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of exorbitant

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

Example Sentences

Lamenting the logistical nightmare, exorbitant costs and strain on working families, they offer tips and tricks for locking in sought-after sessions: Pay attention to countdown clocks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Where we don’t hide behind high walls, apologists and exorbitant price tags.

From Los Angeles Times

"In times of crisis you can expect some increases, but for heating oil this has been exorbitant. We're being taken for a ride."

From BBC

He expects demand to fall in all four countries as well as bids to attract cargoes heading to Europe, though exorbitant prices will put some buyers off.

From The Wall Street Journal

But many Venezuelans say they have yet to see the results on exorbitant prices for basic goods like food and medicine.

From Barron's

Related Words

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