extravagance
B2Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
Spending or using something in a way that exceeds what is reasonable, necessary, or appropriate; often implying wastefulness or lack of restraint.
A non-essential, often luxurious, and costly item or feature; an instance of elaborate or fanciful behaviour, ideas, or language that lacks practical limits.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun. Can describe both concrete actions/objects and abstract qualities (e.g., of design). Often carries a negative moral judgment, but can be neutral or admiring in contexts of art or generosity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is virtually identical. The concept of 'fiscal extravagance' is more commonly discussed in US political/business discourse.
Connotations
Slightly stronger negative connotation regarding personal finance in the UK. In the US, can be used more neutrally for corporate or marketing 'lavishness'.
Frequency
Comparable frequency. Slightly more common in UK English in literary/critical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
extravagance of [noun phrase]extravagance with [resource]extravagance in [activity/domain]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A pardonable extravagance”
- “Trim the fat (and eliminate extravagance)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to unnecessary corporate spending or overly expensive features in a product that do not add value.
Academic
Used in critiques of historical spending, artistic styles, or rhetorical excess.
Everyday
Used to describe personally expensive purchases or overly elaborate plans.
Technical
Rare; may appear in economics or design criticism.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- They lived extravagantly well beyond their means.
- The room was extravagantly decorated with gold leaf.
American English
- He spent extravagantly on the latest tech gadgets.
- The film's climax is extravagantly over-the-top.
adjective
British English
- The wedding plans were deemed far too extravagant for their budget.
- He has a rather extravagant taste in vintage motorcars.
American English
- The CEO's extravagant bonus raised shareholders' eyebrows.
- Her proposal was dismissed as an extravagant fantasy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- A new phone every year is an extravagance.
- She allowed herself the small extravagance of a coffee from the fancy shop.
- The government was criticised for its extravagance in funding the elaborate new monument.
- The novel's stylistic extravagance, while initially dazzling, eventually overwhelms the plot.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'EXTRA' + 'VAGANCE' (sounds like 'vagabond' wandering without limits). Something EXTRA that goes beyond reasonable VAGUE limits.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A FLUID (pouring money out), RESTRAINT IS A CONTAINER (breaking the container of reasonable limits).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with 'экстравагантный' (eccentric, outrageous in style). In English, 'extravagant' relates to excess cost/behaviour; 'eccentric' relates to oddity.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as an adjective (*an extravagance party). Correct: 'an extravagant party'.
- Confusing 'extravagance' (noun) with 'extravagant' (adjective).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'extravagance' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. While it often implies criticism of wastefulness, it can be neutral or positive when referring to a special, justified luxury ('a birthday extravagance') or admiring artistic boldness.
A 'luxury' is a desirable comfort beyond necessity, not inherently wasteful. 'Extravagance' implies excess and often irrational or wasteful use of resources. All extravagances are luxuries, but not all luxuries are extravagances.
Yes. It can refer to an excess of emotion, language, or design (e.g., 'an extravagance of praise', 'architectural extravagance').
Common patterns: 'extravagance with money/time'; 'extravagance in spending/design'; 'an extravagance of detail/ornament'.
Explore