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”; see 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

Bunkers comprise only about 1%-2% of the golf course, yet take up an inordinate amount of a golfer’s energy and anxiety.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Still, that seems like an inordinate number of launches.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

In two recent games they have played with 10 men versus 11 for inordinate amounts of time and yet won both of those matches.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

An Osage scholar once observed, “Walking through an Osage cemetery and seeing the gravestones that show the inordinate numbers of young people who died in the period is chilling.”

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Related Words

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