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

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

From BBC • Nov. 20, 2025

Miss Harbottle homed in on my distracted state and called on me an inordinate number of times with questions on Texas history, which I could not answer, much to the class’s amusement.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

Related Words

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