extravagance

American  

[ik-strav-uh-guhns] / ɪkˈstræv ə gəns /

noun

• extravagances
  plural

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:

   profusion, lavishness

4. an extravagant action, notion, etc..

   the extravagances one commits in moments of stress.

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extravagance British  

/ ɪkˈstrævəɡəns /

noun

1. excessive outlay of money; wasteful spending

2. immoderate or absurd speech or behaviour

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• extravagances
  plural

Etymology

Origin of extravagance

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

Explanation

Use the noun extravagance when you're talking about something that's over the top, especially when it comes to spending money. Ordering a $500 hamburger for dinner would be an extravagance. Money is usually the subject when people talk about extravagance, although the word can also mean having too much of something, whether it's anger or flowery wallpaper. In Latin, the root word extravagari means "wander outside or beyond," and originally extravagance was used to describe something that was unusual — "wandering outside" the norm. It wasn't until the 1700s that the word became associated specifically with spending too much money.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

extravagance extravagances

In the background to all of that extravagance was a pending Premier League judgment against Man City on 115 charges of breaching financial regulations over the course of a decade.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026

Trust that if you’ve never enjoyed your eggs with such extravagance and complexity, it will change your palate for the better.

From Salon ● Mar. 21, 2026

There was eloquent solo playing in the orchestra, and extravagance from the solo singers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 24, 2026

He says most buyers are not chasing extravagance as much as efficiency.

From BBC ● Feb. 8, 2026

The extravagance and general profligacy which he scrupled not to lay at Mr. Wickham’s charge, exceedingly shocked her; the more so, as she could bring no proof of its injustice.

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

Saudi Arabia is focusing on Vision 2030's more pragmatic ventures as extravagances like NEOM, a futuristic city in the desert, and Riyadh's cuboid skyscraper Mukaab, are scaled back or scrapped to save costs.

From Barron's ● Jun. 10, 2026

"Anytime he would do any renovations to Sussex Drive or repairs, the media would be all over him for extravagances," he said.

From BBC ● Apr. 12, 2023

His mother, like many wartime children, was inclined to small economies like switching off lights, and deplored her eldest son’s extravagances.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2022

That is to say, every person to cross its doors is entitled to the most lavish extravagances imaginable.

From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2021

Though all his others break, this shall forever hold, regardless of how many gallant extravagances he may put on it.

From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander

Related Words

• absurdity
• exaggeration
• excess
• luxury
• squandering