Extravagantly: meaning, definitions and examples

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extravagantly

 

[ ΙͺkˈstrΓ¦v.Ι™.Ι‘Ι™nt.li ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

in a showy or excessive manner

If you do something extravagantly, you do it in a very grand and impressive way, often spending more money than necessary.

Synonyms

lavishly, ostentatiously, sumptuously.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
extravagantly

Suitable for describing spending or behavior that goes beyond what is reasonable or necessary, often involving a lot of money and extravagance.

  • She decorated her house extravagantly for the holidays.
  • He spent extravagantly on a luxury car.
lavishly

Used when describing something done in a rich, generous, and luxurious manner, often implying a positive outcome.

  • They hosted a lavishly detailed wedding.
  • The banquet was lavishly prepared with delicious food.
ostentatiously

Appropriate for describing actions or items that are meant to attract attention, admiration, or envy, often with a negative connotation implying pretentiousness or showiness.

  • He ostentatiously displayed his wealth by wearing expensive jewelry.
  • She ostentatiously drove through town in her new sports car.
sumptuously

Best for describing things that are very luxurious, rich, and expensive, often involving high-quality materials or opulent settings.

  • They enjoyed a sumptuously decorated hotel room.
  • The palace was sumptuously furnished with elegant pieces.

Examples of usage

  • He lived extravagantly, always staying in the most luxurious hotels.
  • She dressed extravagantly, wearing designer clothes and expensive jewelry.
  • The party was thrown extravagantly, with a live band and a gourmet catering.
Context #2 | Adverb

in a flamboyant or dramatic way

If you behave extravagantly, you do so in a flamboyant or dramatic manner, drawing attention to yourself.

Synonyms

dramatically, flamboyantly, theatrically.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
extravagantly

Used to describe something done with excessive spending or in an overly lavish manner.

  • She dressed extravagantly for the gala, wearing a dress covered in jewels
dramatically

Used to describe an action or situation that is very intense or has a significant emotional impact.

  • He reacted dramatically when he heard the news, falling to his knees in shock
flamboyantly

Used to describe actions or appearances that are very colorful, flashy, or extravagant and often intended to attract attention.

  • The performer entered the stage flamboyantly, wearing a bright red outfit with sequins
theatrically

Used to describe actions that are exaggerated and performed in a manner similar to acting in a theater, often to create a dramatic effect.

  • He sighed theatrically, throwing his hands up in the air to show his frustration

Examples of usage

  • She performed the song extravagantly, with elaborate dance moves and vocal acrobatics.
  • He spoke extravagantly, using colorful language and exaggerated gestures.

Etymology

The word 'extravagantly' comes from the Latin word 'extravagantem', meaning 'wandering outside'. It originally referred to something that was outside the bounds of reason or moderation. Over time, it has come to be associated with excessive or flamboyant behavior, often related to spending or display of wealth.

See also: extravagance, extravagant.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,279, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.