extravagant

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Spending a lot more money than is necessary or sensible.

   Grammar: Used before a noun or after linking verbs like be, seem, get: an extravagant gift; they seem extravagant.

   Patterns

   • extravagant with something
   • extravagant in doing something
   • it is extravagant to do something

   My brother is so extravagant that he buys a new car every year.

   She was extravagant with her bonus, booking a five-star hotel for the weekend.

   It seemed extravagant to hire a limousine just for the airport trip.

2. 2adjectivecomparable

   Very elaborate, showy, or over-the-top in style or design.

   Grammar: Describes things like clothes, parties, or decoration; can be used before a noun or after be.

   Patterns

   • extravagant clothes
   • extravagant party
   • extravagant design

   The wedding featured extravagant floral arrangements that filled the whole hall.

   He wore an extravagant velvet suit to the office party.

   The palace is known for its extravagant architecture and gold ceilings.

3. 3adjectivecomparable

   Exaggerated or excessively enthusiastic in speech or behavior.

   Grammar: Often used with words like praise, claims, or gestures; can be before a noun or after be.

   Patterns

   • extravagant praise
   • extravagant claims
   • extravagant gesture

   The critics offered extravagant praise that made the young actor blush.

   His extravagant claims about the product's powers turned out to be false.

   She made an extravagant gesture of apology by sending flowers to everyone.

Word forms

Common combinations

extravagant lifestyle

Their extravagant lifestyle included private jets and designer clothes.

extravagant spending

The government criticized the mayor's extravagant spending on parties.

extravagant gift

He gave her an extravagant gift: a diamond necklace.

extravagant claims

The advertisement made extravagant claims about the cream's effects.

extravagant with money

She's not extravagant with money; she saves most of her salary.

Synonyms and how they differ

lavish

Lavish often suggests generous, rich abundance and can be approving, while extravagant usually hints at waste or excess.

wasteful

Wasteful focuses on useless spending that produces nothing; extravagant can also mean just very showy.

showy

Showy emphasizes the desire to attract attention, while extravagant stresses the high cost or excess.

excessive

Excessive is a general word for too much of anything, but extravagant is mostly about money or style.

Opposites

Word family

extravagance noun

The quality of being extravagant, or an extravagant act.

extravagantly adverb

In an extravagant way.

Commonly confused: extravagant or extravaganza?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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