extravagance

noun

ex·​trav·​a·​gance ik-ˈstra-vi-gən(t)s How to pronounce extravagance (audio)
1
a
: an instance of excess or prodigality
specifically : an excessive outlay of money
b
: something extravagant
a new car is an extravagance we can't afford
2
: the quality or fact of being extravagant
the extravagance of the decorations

Examples of extravagance in a Sentence

The reorganization of the department was aimed at reducing extravagance. That coat is an extravagance that you can't afford. Going to the play will be our one extravagance for this vacation. I was shocked by the extravagance of their lifestyle. The church is known for the extravagance of its architecture.
Recent Examples on the Web In the realm of professional sports, where contracts are inked with extravagance and fortunes are amassed overnight, taxation emerges as a critical factor influencing immigration patterns. Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 And while Las Vegas continues to market extravagance and excess, Reno, which is less than one-quarter of the size, seems forever at a crossroads. Ken Belson, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2024 There are lights, and pyrotechnics, and extravagance. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 13 Jan. 2024 The mounting public backlash has also caused a rift between Yoon and senior members of the PPP – one party official even compared Kim to Marie Antoinette, the 18th century French queen notorious for her extravagance. Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 9 Feb. 2024 Coppola’s natural extravagance was showing through in other areas, too. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2024 While his personal style might have seemed sedate, Philip’s court was known for its extravagance, as a place where Europe’s best dressed gathered to show off their wares. Ana María Velasco, Premium, 17 Jan. 2024 In general, extravagances like meals out, Starbucks runs, new clothes, and movie or concert tickers are not allowed—though some allocate a small budget for discretionary spending. Chris Morris, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2024 The populist instinct, if not the personal extravagance, has continued. Jill Lawless, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'extravagance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of extravagance was in 1640

Dictionary Entries Near extravagance

Cite this Entry

“Extravagance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extravagance. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

extravagance

noun
ex·​trav·​a·​gance ik-ˈstrav-i-gən(t)s How to pronounce extravagance (audio)
1
a
: the wasteful or careless spending of money
b
: something that is extravagant
2
: the quality or fact of being extravagant

More from Merriam-Webster on extravagance

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