What does extravagancy mean?
Extravagancy is a noun meaning the quality or state of being extravagant — that is, excessive spending, lavishness, or behaviour beyond what is reasonable or necessary. It is essentially an older and rarer variant of the standard modern word 'extravagance', and in contemporary usage it appears mainly in formal, literary, or historical contexts. The word derives from the Latin verb vagari, 'to wander', combined with the prefix extra-, 'beyond'; an extravagant thing is one that wanders beyond proper limits, whether of money, dress, or conduct. In practice, extravagancy typically carries a disapproving connotation, suggesting waste, imprudence, or showy excess, as in criticism of the extravagancy of an official's expenses. Writers today would usually choose 'extravagance', reserving 'extravagancy' for deliberate stylistic effect or when quoting earlier texts. Its antonyms include frugality, thrift, and moderation, and it belongs to a family of Latinate words — such as 'vagary' and 'vagrant' — all rooted in the idea of wandering.
nounThe quality or state of being extravagant; excessive spending or lavishness beyond what is reasonable or necessary.
- Excessive or wasteful spending; lavishness beyond reasonable bounds.
"The report criticised the extravagancy of the minister's official residence."
"The audit flagged the extravagancy of the firm's entertainment budget."
"She was known for the extravagancy of her wardrobe rather than her talent."
The plural refers to individual instances of extravagant spending or behaviour.
"His letters catalogue the extravagancies of his youth in Rome."
Before 'extravagance' took over the English language, writers reached for its longer sibling 'extravagancy' — a word whose Latin root literally means 'to wander beyond'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of extravagancy
Extravagancy comes from Medieval Latin extravagans, formed from the Latin extra ('outside, beyond') and vagari ('to wander'), so literally 'wandering beyond'. It entered English around the late sixteenth or early seventeenth century alongside its sibling form 'extravagance', both initially carrying senses of wandering beyond limits before settling into the sense of excessive spending. It shares this root with 'vagary', 'vagrant', and 'extravagant', all descendants of the same Latin verb.
How extravagancy is actually used
A dated variant of the far more common 'extravagance'; it survives mainly in formal writing and historical texts, and using it today can sound archaic or affected.
Easily confused with extravagancy
Both mean excessive spending or lack of restraint, but 'extravagance' is the standard modern form while 'extravagancy' is a rarer, older variant now largely confined to formal or literary use.