extravagant

adjective ex·trav·a·gant \ik-ˈstra-vi-gənt\

: more than is usual, necessary, or proper

: very fancy

: very expensive and not necessary

Full Definition of EXTRAVAGANT

a obsolete : strange, curious

b archaic : wandering

a : exceeding the limits of reason or necessity <extravagant claims>

b : lacking in moderation, balance, and restraint <extravagant praise>

c : extremely or excessively elaborate <an extravagant display>

a : spending much more than necessary <has always been extravagant with her money>

b : profuse, lavish

: extremely or unreasonably high in price <an extravagant purchase>

— ex·trav·a·gant·ly adverb

See extravagant defined for English-language learners

See extravagant defined for kids

Origin of EXTRAVAGANT

Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin extravagant-, extravagans, from Latin extra- + vagant-, vagans, present participle of vagari to wander about, from vagus wandering

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to EXTRAVAGANT

Synonyms: prodigal, high-rolling, profligate, spendthrift, squandering, thriftless, unthrifty, wasteful

Antonyms: conserving, economical, economizing, frugal, penny-pinching, scrimping, skimping, thrifty

Synonym Discussion of EXTRAVAGANT

excessive, immoderate, inordinate, extravagant, exorbitant, extreme mean going beyond a normal limit. excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable <excessive punishment>. immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint <immoderate spending>. inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment <inordinate pride>. extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste <extravagant claims for the product>. exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree <exorbitant prices>. extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree <extreme shyness>.

EXTRAVAGANT Defined for Kids