extravagance

[ ik-strav-uh-guhns ]

noun

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: lavishness, profusion

4. an extravagant action, notion, etc.:

   the extravagances one commits in moments of stress.

extravagance

/ ɪkˈstrævəɡəns /

noun

1. excessive outlay of money; wasteful spending
2. immoderate or absurd speech or behaviour

Word History and Origins

Origin of extravagance¹

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

Example Sentences

Kelce, then, is another type of distraction, a reminder that Murphy trades in some of the same extravagances he may be critiquing.

From Salon

Delyth said she sat down with Beca every week to look over her budget and finances and the only "extravagance" her daughter ever included was having her hair and nails done.

From BBC

The row comes amid concerns by critics that taxpayers' money has been used to fund extravagance in government while taxes have been raised on the basis that the state needs extra funding.

From BBC

“Rigor and extravagance, strength in delicacy, Englishness with an Italian accent,” the show notes read.

From Seattle Times

The minister replied contemptuously that ballet dancers were like saffron — the most expensive spice — on hospital food, an extravagance.

From New York Times

Related Words

• absurdity
• exaggeration
• excess
• luxury
• squandering