extravagant
/ɪkˈstrævəɡənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪkˈstrævəɡənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ik-ˈstra-vi-gənt/ (ame, mw)
extravagant — adjective
- extravagantpositive
- more extravagantcomparative
- most extravagantsuperlative
1. describes someone who spends far more money than they need to, or something that
describes someone who spends far more money than they need to, or something that costs far more than is sensible — for example, throwing a birthday party with three live bands, or buying a designer coat when an ordinary one would do.
Mayumi gave her sister an extravagant gold bracelet for her wedding.
extravagant + [noun] for describing a costly gift
Asher's parents said his weekend in Paris was a bit too extravagant for a student budget.
predicative use: be extravagant for [purpose]
The restaurant's extravagant six-course menu left most diners feeling slightly guilty.
Critics called the new town hall an extravagant waste of public money.
Ife refused to be extravagant with the heating, even on the coldest winter nights.
- lavish
stresses generous abundance; less negative than extravagant
- wasteful
focuses on the waste itself, not on luxury
- profligate
formal; stronger moral disapproval of reckless spending
用法筆記
Often carries mild disapproval — suggests the spending or use is beyond what is reasonable. Common subjects are people, gifts, lifestyles, meals, and projects.
常見錯誤
2. describes a claim, gesture, style, or reaction that goes far beyond what is reas
describes a claim, gesture, style, or reaction that goes far beyond what is reasonable, balanced, or believable — such as a politician's wild promises before an election or a movie set decorated with hundreds of fake flowers.
Karim made extravagant promises that nobody really expected him to keep.
extravagant + [claim/promise] for exaggerated statements
The opera singer took an extravagant bow that lasted nearly a full minute.
extravagant + [gesture] for theatrical actions
Bao's praise for the new chef was extravagant — every dish was called a masterpiece.
The film's extravagant costumes used over two thousand peacock feathers.
Critics dismissed the author's extravagant claims about ancient aliens.
- excessive
neutral; emphasises going over a limit
- exaggerated
specifically about claims or expressions being overstated
- flamboyant
specifically about showy, theatrical style
- restrained
controlled and modest in expression
- moderate
kept within reasonable limits
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is not about money but about exaggeration in language, behaviour, emotion, or style. Common with nouns like 'claim', 'praise', 'gesture', 'costume', 'reaction'.