extravagant

/ɪkˈstɹævəɡənt/

Group 5Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(adjective)
Lacking restraint in spending money or using resources; exceeding what is reasonable
GRE

Example in Context

The governor's extravagant renovation of the official residence drew public outrage during a period of severe budget cuts.

Synonyms

excessivelavishwasteful

Etymology

Wandering beyond limits; excessively lavish.

  • extra- (Latin) — beyond
  • vagari (Latin) — to wander

Memory Aid

💸Sounds like “extra-vagant

Imagine a man throwing EXTRA cash at a parade, yelling 'VAGANT, HAVE MY MONEY, I WANT IT ALL!'

Visual Association

🎉A lavish party overflowing with gold decorations and extravagant food, where money seems to fly everywhere.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “extravagant” mean on the GRE?

extravagant (adjective) means “Lacking restraint in spending money or using resources; exceeding what is reasonable”. The governor's extravagant renovation of the official residence drew public outrage during a period of severe budget cuts.

How to remember “extravagant” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “extravagant” sounds like “extra-vagant”. Imagine a man throwing EXTRA cash at a parade, yelling 'VAGANT, HAVE MY MONEY, I WANT IT ALL!'

What are synonyms for “extravagant”?

Common synonyms: excessive, lavish, wasteful.