extravagant

American  

[ik-strav-uh-guhnt] / ɪkˈstræv ə gənt /

adjective

1. spending much more than is necessary or wise; wasteful.

   an extravagant shopper.

   Synonyms:

   prodigal, spendthrift, imprudent

   Antonyms:

   thrifty, prudent

2. excessively high.

   extravagant expenses; extravagant prices.

   Synonyms:

   inordinate, excessive, immoderate

   Antonyms:

   moderate

3. exceeding the bounds of reason, as actions, demands, opinions, or passions.

   Synonyms:

   preposterous, absurd, wild, fantastic, unrestrained, unreasonable

   Antonyms:

   reasonable

4. going beyond what is deserved or justifiable.

   extravagant praise.

5. Obsolete. wandering beyond bounds.

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extravagant British  

/ ɪkˈstrævəɡənt /

adjective

1. spending money excessively or immoderately

2. going beyond usual bounds; unrestrained

   extravagant praise

3. ostentatious; showy

4. exorbitant in price; overpriced

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Other Word Forms

• extravagantly adverb
• extravagantness noun
• overextravagant adjective
• overextravagantly adverb
• unextravagant adjective
• unextravagantly adverb

Etymology

Origin of extravagant

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin extrāvagant-, stem of extrāvagāns “wandering beyond,” present participle of extrāvagārī “to wander beyond,” from extrā- extra- + vagārī “to wander”

Explanation

Extravagant is an adjective that means expensive, excessive, and over the top. A modest chandelier in your dining room is normal. But crystal-studded walls and gold-plated goblets? That's a bit extravagant. If you’re prone to lavish behavior or spending, you’re extravagant. It’s an adjective associated with extremes, sometimes even to the point of absurdity. Fees at a bank can be extravagant, and so can a person who insists on drinking only bottled French mineral water out of a golden chalice. Remember that the only ‘e’ is at the beginning — the remaining three vowels are all ‘a.’

Example Sentences

“The extravagant gifting and banqueting and entertaining that fueled one big sector of imported wine has evaporated,” said Ian Ford, founding partner of Nimbility, an Asia-based beverage consulting firm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

The full force of Lawrence Sher’s cinematography, Karen Murphy’s production design and Hildur Guðnadóttir’s orchestral score is fabulous, combining to make something seedy, moody and extravagant.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

Opera fabricated the extravagant 18th century garments, which Slattery said have become a “staff tourist attraction.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

Pollock is known for goading the opposition and extravagant try-scoring celebrations.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

Being with Chacko made Margaret Kochamma feel as though her soul had escaped from the narrow confines of her island country into the vast, extravagant spaces of his.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

Related Words

• absurd
• bizarre
• bling
• blingy
• costly
• exaggerated
• excessive
• exorbitant
• expensive
• fanciful
• fancy
• fantastic
• flamboyant
• flashy
• garish
• gaudy
• grandiose
• implausible
• lavish
• ludicrous