extravagance
ik-STRAV-uh-guhns
/ɪkˈstræv.ə.ɡəns/
LACK of restraint in spending money or using resources; excessive expenditure or elaboration.
Describes either extreme financial spending or wild, unrestrained ideas and lifestyle choices.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'extra-' (outside) and 'vagari' (to wander). Literally 'wandering beyond proper bounds', originally describing wild ideas before applying to reckless spending.
Word relationships
- lavishness: Lavishness stresses richness and generous detail, whereas extravagance emphasizes exceeding reasonable financial limits.
- frugality: Frugality is careful, economical management of resources, the direct opposite of extravagance.
- thrift: Thrift involves prudent saving and spending discipline.
Commonly confused with
- exuberance: Exuberance means high energy and overflowing happiness; extravagance means spending or doing too much.
Word family
- extravagant (adjective): Lacking restraint in spending or behavior.
- extravagantly (adverb): In an extravagant manner.
Collocations
- wild extravagance
- reckless extravagance
- financial extravagance
- unnecessary extravagance
Example sentences
- "The court of King Louis XIV was renowned for its unprecedented extravagance and lavish celebrations." Historical Biography
Memory hook
EXTRA wandering outside your budget is EXTRAVAGANCE. Wandering outside financial bounds.
When not to use
Do not confuse with reasonable luxury; extravagance specifically means going beyond sensible boundaries.
Fun facts
- In medieval Europe, extravagant clothing with long trailing shoes was legally limited because shoes tripping wearers caused public hazards.
Related words
Explore more words
extravagant, opulent, parsimonious, overconsumption, squander, abundance
Also appears in
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