inordinate

American  

[in-awr-dn-it] / ɪnˈɔr dn ɪt /

adjective

1. not within proper or reasonable limits; immoderate; excessive.

   He drank an inordinate amount of wine.

   Synonyms:

   disproportionate, unreasonable, outrageous, exorbitant, extreme

   Antonyms:

   reasonable

2. unrestrained in conduct, feelings, etc..

   an inordinate admirer of beauty.

3. disordered or uncontrolled.

4. not regulated; irregular.

   Keeping such inordinate hours will not help with your sleep issues.

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inordinate British  

/ ɪnˈɔːdɪnɪt /

adjective

1. exceeding normal limits; immoderate

2. unrestrained, as in behaviour or emotion; intemperate

3. irregular or disordered

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Other Word Forms

• inordinacy noun
• inordinately adverb
• inordinateness noun

Etymology

Origin of inordinate

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Middle English inordinat, from Latin inordinātus “disordered,” equivalent to in- in- ³ + ordinātus “orderly, appointed”; ordain, ordinate

Explanation

Something that's excessive or that goes way beyond normal limits is inordinate — like an overly obsessive love for chocolate or a fantasy football junkie who spends an inordinate amount of time checking his team. The adjective inordinate is the exact opposite of "reasonable" and "moderate." In fact, when you call something inordinate, you're saying it's downright exorbitant and out of proportion. It's often used to describe abnormal amounts of time spent doing something — playing video games at work or canoodling with your girlfriend at school, for example. But as Oscar Wilde once said, “An inordinate passion for pleasure is the secret of remaining young.”

Example Sentences

Investors can also take comfort from the fact that the fund’s managers do not assume an inordinate amount of risk.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

After the season, there were reports that Mara asked for an inordinate salary increase while demanding that he set his own practice schedule.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

“A lot of the big philanthropies, you know, they’ll spend inordinate amounts of resources trying to retire a handful of coal plants in one country,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

Scotland have an incredible habit of going scoreless for inordinate amounts of time in Test matches.

From BBC • Nov. 20, 2025

I’d had an inordinate and unfair amount of homework, and there were a couple of hours of decent working light left.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

Related Words

• disproportionate
• dizzying
• exorbitant
• irrational
• unconscionable
• undue
• unreasonable
• unwarranted