The word "extravagance" is spelled with three syllables, with the primary stress on the second syllable (ek-STRAY-vuh-guhns). The "x" in the beginning is pronounced as the "ks" sound. The "a" in the second syllable is pronounced as the "ay" sound, and the "a" in the final syllable is pronounced as the "uh" sound. The "g" in the final syllable is pronounced as the "guh" sound. This word refers to excessive or unnecessary spending or behavior.
Extravagance is a noun that refers to the act or quality of exceeding the normal limits of spending, behavior, or degree. It is characterized by excessive or wasteful abundance, often involving the consumption or indulgence of luxurious items, services, or experiences.
In terms of spending, extravagance denotes a disregard for practicality and financial prudence, where individuals or entities spend excessively on items that are beyond their needs or means. This can include lavish purchases of expensive cars, designer clothing, or extravagant vacations. The act of an extravagant person can be seen as a display of affluence or a desire to show off one's wealth or status.
Extravagance can also be observed in behavior or lifestyle choices that go beyond societal expectations or norms. This may involve indulging in excessive partying, frequenting exclusive events, or engaging in lavish entertainment endeavors. Such behaviors are often associated with a disregard for consequences or a craving for excitement and attention.
Furthermore, extravagance can be applied to actions or statements that exceed what is considered reasonable or expected. This can be observed in excessively emotional or dramatic reactions, speech that is exaggerated or overblown, or a tendency to pursue overly ambitious goals or dreams.
While extravagance can be seen as a means of self-expression or enjoyment, it often carries negative connotations of wastefulness, materialism, and disregard for social responsibility.
Excess in anything; a going beyond the limits of strict truth or probability.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "extravagance" is derived from the Latin word "extravagantia", which is a combination of the prefix "extra" meaning "outside" or "beyond", and the noun "vagus" meaning "wandering" or "loose". Originally, in the 15th century, the word had a negative connotation, referring to someone who wandered outside the bounds of normal behavior or indulged in excessive spending beyond what was necessary. Over time, it evolved to refer more generally to excessive or wasteful behavior.