extravagance

Meanings

1. 1noununcountabledisapproving

   The act of spending much more money than is necessary or sensible, often on luxurious things.

   Grammar: Uncountable when talking about the general behavior: 'Extravagance led them into debt.'

   Patterns

   • extravagance in something
   • an act of extravagance
   • the extravagance of something

   Their constant extravagance soon emptied their savings account.

   The wedding was criticized for its extravagance, with ice sculptures and a live orchestra.

   He was known for his extravagance, buying sports cars he never drove.

2. 2nouncountabledisapproving

   Something that is bought or done that is much more expensive or elaborate than needed.

   Grammar: Countable when referring to a specific instance or item: 'a costly extravagance'.

   Patterns

   • a costly extravagance
   • an unnecessary extravagance

   The gold-plated bathroom fixtures were an extravagance they later regretted.

   A second holiday home seemed an extravagance on their modest income.

3. 3noununcountabledisapprovingformal

   Behavior or language that goes beyond what is reasonable or controlled, often in a showy way.

   Grammar: Uncountable when describing excessive display or exaggeration.

   Patterns

   • extravagance of language
   • extravagance of praise

   The critic objected to the extravagance of the film's special effects.

   His extravagance in praising the boss made everyone uncomfortable.

Word forms

Common combinations

an extravagance

Buying a yacht was an extravagance they could not afford.

sheer extravagance

The party was sheer extravagance, with champagne fountains and a celebrity chef.

extravagance of

The extravagance of the palace amazed the visitors.

indulge in extravagance

After the promotion, she indulged in extravagance and bought designer clothes.

accused of extravagance

The mayor was accused of extravagance for spending public money on a new limousine.

Synonyms and how they differ

luxury

Luxury means great comfort or expensive things, often without disapproval; extravagance suggests wastefulness or going too far.

waste

Waste focuses on useless spending or loss; extravagance often implies showy or excessive spending on luxuries.

excess

Excess is a general term for too much of anything; extravagance is specifically about lavish or unreasonable spending or behavior.

Opposites

Word family

extravagant adjective

Spending or costing much more than necessary; also means very elaborate.

extravagantly adverb

In a way that is excessive or wasteful.

Commonly confused: extravagance or extravaganza?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “extravagance”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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