extravagance

[ ik-strav-uh-guhns ]

noun

1. excessive or unnecessary expenditure or outlay of money.

   Antonyms: frugality

2. an instance of this:

   That sports car is an inexcusable extravagance.

3. unrestrained or fantastic excess, as of actions or opinions.

   Synonyms: lavishness, profusion

4. an extravagant action, notion, etc.:

   the extravagances one commits in moments of stress.

extravagance

/ ɪkˈstrævəɡəns /

noun

1. excessive outlay of money; wasteful spending
2. immoderate or absurd speech or behaviour

Word History and Origins

Origin of extravagance¹

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

Example Sentences

Around the course, old signals of extravagance have returned in near-full bloom.

From Washington Post

Most of the sculptures in this selection are busts, limited to shoulders, heads and extravagances of curly hair.

From Washington Post

To talk to the executive is to experience a keenly nuanced understanding of the business, but rare bursts of extravagance or departures from the message.

From Washington Post

Cereal brings back memories of lazy mornings and easy extravagance, a time when worries were few and comfort was plenty.

From The Daily Beast

Unfortunately, despite the extravagance of the parades, Putin was not there to witness the festivities.

From The 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.

From The Daily Beast

But eight-penny bread would be an outrageous extravagance in these times.

From The Daily Beast

Many have accused the Spanish royals of living a life of extravagance using public funds, even as much of Spain is suffering.

From The Daily Beast

The room was prettily furnished, and Georgie had often accused herself of extravagance.

From Project Gutenberg

What reliance could repose upon a house, divided against itself—not safe from the extravagance and pillage of its own members?

From Project Gutenberg

This is one of the truths which sloth, rapacity and extravagance are slow to learn, yet which they cannot safely ignore.

From Project Gutenberg

I doubt,” she answered, with the instinct of extravagance that annoyed Hubert, “I doubt if I know anything else.

From Project Gutenberg

But there was in general nothing Oriental about him, no assumption of barbaric pompousness, no extravagance of bearing.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• absurdity
• exaggeration
• excess
• luxury
• squandering