exorbitant

[ ig-zawr-bi-tuhnt ]

adjective

1. exceeding the bounds of custom, propriety, or reason, especially in amount or extent; highly excessive:

   to charge an exorbitant price; exorbitant luxury.

2. Archaic. outside the authority of the law.

exorbitant

/ ɪɡˈzɔːbɪtənt /

adjective

1. (of prices, demands, etc) in excess of what is reasonable; excessive; extravagant; immoderate

Derived Forms

• exˈorbitantly, adverb
• exˈorbitance, noun

Other Words From

• ex·orbi·tant·ly adverb
• unex·orbi·tant adjective
• unex·orbi·tant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of exorbitant¹

1425–75; late Middle English < Late Latin exorbitant- (stem of exorbitāns, present participle of exorbitāre to go out of the track), equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + orbit ( a ) wheel track ( orbit ) + -ant- -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of exorbitant¹

C15: from Late Latin exorbitāre to deviate, from Latin orbita track

Example Sentences

A new standard, they said, was necessary to cope with the state’s exorbitant cost of living.

From Los Angeles Times

No Palestinians, even if they can pay the exorbitant fees, are allowed to leave Gaza right now unless by medical evacuation.

From Salon

Landlords have also been accused of hoarding low-cost housing units and selling them for an exorbitant price, knowing that the desperation of some renters would more than offset any wasted space.

From Salon

In an interview this month with Fox News, he threatened to impose an exorbitant tax on autos imported from Mexico.

From Los Angeles Times

A photo of Young appeared onscreen above a graphic that read, “Afghans trying to flee Taliban face black markets, exorbitant fees, no guarantee of safety or success.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• enormous
• inordinate
• outrageous
• pricey
• steep
• unconscionable
• unreasonable
• unwarranted