extravagant

Extravagant is an adjective used to describe things, actions, or tastes that exceed what is reasonable or necessary, as well as styles that are unusually elaborate or ornate. In everyday use it often carries a sense of excess, such as extravagant spending, extravagant gestures, or an extravagant lifestyle. The term can be neutral when describing visual or stylistic traits, but it frequently carries a critical or evaluative undertone, depending on context.

Etymology and history: The word comes from Latin extrā vagārī, meaning to roam outside or beyond. It entered English through Old or Middle French as extravagant and has been in use since the 15th century. The sense expanded from “outside the bounds” to include lavishness and excess in appearance, behavior, or expenditure.

Usage and nuance: Extravagant can describe material abundance or decorative ambition, as in architecture, fashion, or celebrations. It can imply wastefulness or impracticality, but it may also evoke admiration for boldness or artistry. Collocations include extravagant expense, extravagant ornamentation, extravagant taste, and an extravagant gesture. Adverbial form is extravagantly; the related noun is extravagance.

Related terms and contrasts: Extravagant is often paired with opposites such as frugal, modest, or restrained. Synonyms range from lavish, luxurious, and opulent to excessive and immoderate. The concept is frequently discussed in cultural and economic contexts, where choices between extravagance and simplicity reflect values around wealth, taste, and social signaling.