extravagance

[ik-strav-uh-guhns]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR extravagance ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of extravagance

1635–45; < French, Middle French; see extravagant, -ance

SYNONYMS FOR extravagance

3. lavishness, profusion.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR extravagance ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR extravagance

1. frugality.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR extravagance ON THESAURUS.COM

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for extravagance

Unfortunately, despite the extravagance of the parades, Putin was not there to witness the festivities.
Ramzan Kadyrov: The Man Between Putin and ISIS|Anna Nemtsova|October 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Gaga may call ARTPOP her new look, but it seems that the singer's need for extravagance is part of her same old tricks.
Deconstructing Lady Gaga's 5 Bras in "Applause"|Erin Cunningham|August 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Many have accused the Spanish royals of living a life of extravagance using public funds, even as much of Spain is suffering.
Spain's Royal Troubles|Ilana Glazer|April 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Many celebrities opted to donate their wares to charity, and the extravagance—and value—of the bags have gone down over the years.
Oscar’s Bizarre Swag Bag: Condoms, Circus Training, and More|Kevin Fallon|February 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Charles's extravagance is undoubtedly a factor in his low popularity ratings.
How 2012 Turned Into a Very Bad Year For Prince Charles|Tom Sykes|November 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The pomp and vanity of dress was carried by both sexes to extravagance.
The Revolt of The Netherlands, Complete|Friedrich Schiller
It is not only such boldness that is to be reprehended, but extravagance of costume.
The Wedding Ring|T. De Witt Talmage
Extravagance is of course merely comparative: a man may be a spendthrift in copper as well as gold.
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction|Various
An angel of reasonableness seems to watch over him, even when he comes most dangerously near to an extravagance.
Critical Miscellanies, Vol. I|John Morley
Tancredi burlesques the knightly reverence for a stainless scutcheon by the extravagance of his revenge.
Renaissance in Italy: Italian Literature|John Addington Symonds

British Dictionary definitions for extravagance

extravagance

noun

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for extravagance

extravagance

1640s, from French extravagance, from Late Latin extravagantem (see extravagant). Specifically of wasteful spending from 1727. Extravagancy is attested from c.1600.