The phrase "were extravagant" is spelled using the ər sound for "were" and the g sound for "extravagant". The IPA phonetic transcription for "were" is wər, where the upside down e symbol represents the schwa sound. This is a neutral vowel sound that commonly occurs in unstressed syllables. The IPA for "extravagant" is ɡ/ɡrəvəɡənt, where the g represents the voiced velar stop sound. The word means excessive or elaborate, and can be used to describe lavish spending or behavior.
"Were extravagant" refers to a past tense expression used to describe someone's actions or behavior that were characterized by excessive, luxurious, or wasteful spending or indulgence. The word "were" indicates that the subject engaged in such behavior or possessed this quality in the past.
The term "extravagant" itself signifies an exaggerated and often unnecessary display of wealth, opulence, or lavishness. When someone is described as extravagant, it suggests that they have a tendency to splurge or go beyond what is considered normal or essential in terms of spending money, resources, or time. The adjective conveys the idea of indulging in luxurious or extravagant experiences, possessions, or activities without restraint.
People who were extravagant in the past could have exhibited behaviors such as buying expensive and unnecessary items, frequenting high-end establishments, organizing elaborate events, or engaging in extravagant hobbies and pastimes. It implies a lifestyle that is marked by showiness, ostentation, and a lack of concern for financial prudence or the economic consequences of their actions.
The phrase "were extravagant" can also extend beyond just financial expenditures to encompass other aspects of life, including excessive emotions, immoderate actions, or exaggerated displays of affection. Overall, being described as "were extravagant" suggests that the individual in question demonstrated an inclination towards extravagance and had a history of engaging in excessive and indulgent behaviors in some capacity.
The phrase "were extravagant" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two separate words. However, we can break down the etymology of each word:
1. "Were": The word "were" is the past tense of the verb "to be" in the English language. It derives from Old English "wǣron" and Middle English "were", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic root "wēzǭ" meaning "to be, to exist".
2. "Extravagant": The word "extravagant" comes from the Latin word "extravagans", which is the present participle of the verb "extravagari", meaning "to wander outside bounds". In Latin, "extra" means "beyond" and "vagari" means "to wander".