Merriam-Webster's Word Central

May 25, 2011

inordinate (adjective): \in-OR-duh-nut\
What does it mean?: : going beyond reasonable limits : immoderate
How do you use it?: Our science teacher explained that we should expect to see an inordinate number of cicadas because the 13-year variety hatched this year.
Are you a word wiz?: We've given you the definition of "inordinate" and one example sentence. Let's see if you can figure out another one on your own. Which of the answers below best completes this sentence? The students all groaned unhappily when they saw

A. . . . that the inordinate was about to address them sternly.

B. . . . that an inordinate cake was brought in for a classmate's birthday.

C. . . . that their new homework assignment was of an inordinate length.

D. . . . that inordinate numbers of them would be graduating with honors.

If you chose C, good job! Answer A uses "inordinate" as a noun, so that can't be the answer. The clauses in answers B and D are both incorrect because they don't logically follow the beginning of the sentence. Students are unlikely to moan and groan over a birthday cake, no matter how large, or over an exceptional number of honors graduates. Only answer C correctly completes the sentence, because it tells us that the cause of the students' unhappiness was an unreasonably long homework assignment.