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 ( see orbit) + -ant- -ant

Explanation

Use the adjective exorbitant when you want to describe something that is really just too much! You'll often hear people griping about exorbitant bank fees or exorbitant interest rates. The adjective exorbitant was originally a legal term to describe a case that was outside the bounds of the law. It comes from the Latin roots — the prefix ex, meaning "out of," and orbita, meaning "wheel track." You can see how the word now has come to be described as something that has gone way off the beaten track, especially in terms of price and value.

Example Sentences

High tolls, up to $2 million per ship, and exorbitant insurance rates deter operators from using the Strait of Hormuz, alongside ceasefire concerns.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Shelters were full, and landlords were demanding — and getting — exorbitant rents and advance payments that Kareet, who owns a pet shop specializing in birds, simply couldn’t afford.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

Just as things start looking up, Amanda’s car is stolen, left in an illegal spot and towed, and the towing company slaps her with an exorbitant $21,000 bill for circumstances entirely out of her control.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026

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 • Mar. 15, 2026

Walking down River Street, they stopped at every window and planned exorbitant purchases when they made their first million dollars.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

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