What does exorbitantly mean?
"Exorbitantly" is an adverb meaning to an excessive, unreasonable, or extravagant degree, applied most often to prices, costs, and charges that far exceed what is fair or customary. When a hotel bills guests exorbitantly for internet access, the implication is not merely that the price is high, but that it is unjustifiably so — the word always carries a tone of disapproval or outrage. It derives from the Latin "exorbitare," meaning to go off course or deviate from the beaten track, so something exorbitant is figuratively off the proper path of reasonableness. The adverb typically intensifies adjectives such as "high," "expensive," or "priced," as in "exorbitantly high rent." It appears frequently in journalism, consumer writing, and everyday complaints about cost of living, making it a precise and forceful choice when ordinary words like "very" would understate genuine grievance.
adverbIn a manner that greatly exceeds what is reasonable, usual, or appropriate; to an excessive or extravagant degree.
- To an excessive or unreasonable degree, especially regarding price, cost, or quantity.
"The hotel charged exorbitantly for a breakfast that was barely worth eating."
"The restaurant was exorbitantly priced, with a simple pasta dish costing over forty dollars."
"The company spent exorbitantly on office renovations while cutting staff benefits."
"Exorbitantly" comes from the Latin for "off the beaten track" — so when prices go exorbitantly high, they've literally wandered off the path of reason.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of exorbitantly
"Exorbitantly" derives from the Latin verb "exorbitare," formed from "ex-" (out of) and "orbita" (track or wheel-rut), literally meaning to go off the beaten track. The adjective "exorbitant" entered English in the late Middle Ages via French, first meaning deviant or unconventional, before narrowing by the early 17th century to its modern sense of exceeding proper bounds, especially financially. Cognates include "orbit" itself, which shares the root sense of a defined track or path.
Related word forms
How exorbitantly is actually used
"Exorbitantly" carries a strongly negative connotation of unfairness or outrage, and is used most often with prices, fees, rents, and costs. It is somewhat formal in register but common in journalism and everyday complaint. It is typically used as an intensifier before adjectives such as "high," "expensive," or "priced."
Easily confused with exorbitantly
"Exuberantly" means in a lively, energetic, or enthusiastic manner, while "exorbitantly" means to an excessive or unreasonable degree — the words look and sound similar but are unrelated in meaning.