extravagant pay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extravagant pay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a salary or compensation that is excessively high or lavish. Example: "The company is known for offering extravagant pay to attract top talent in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Predictably, politicians decried the footballer's extravagant pay.

The Economist

So extravagant pay was not entirely the boards' fault.

The Economist

In a speech on June 10th John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, railed against the iniquities of "extravagant" pay and severance deals.

The Economist

Very high salaries should be taxed at a rate of 50 percent or more, which would discourage extravagant pay for chief executives.

The New York Times

Welcoming the bank's ethical policies, the Save Our Bank campaigners said the bank's customers "simply expect you to take a stand against such extravagant pay packages".

The Guardian - Business

French economist Thomas Piketty, in his book Capital, calls this the ideology of "meritocratic extremism", the doctrine that extravagant pay is justified by the merit of performance.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Though the public-sector unions have countered IG Metall's restraint with an opening bid for an extravagant 5% pay rise, Mr Schröder has reason to look pleased.

The Economist

The book didn't treat extravagant executive pay so much as a moral issue or a sign that America had become vulgar in its rampant materialism.

The New York Times

This meant that "shareholder value" became hard to separate from the general market rise, and that shareholders could afford to be indifferent both to mediocre relative performance and extravagant executive pay.

The Economist

I recall his irritation after an Op-Ed page columnist wrote "Me no likey" in response to news of the extravagant bonuses paid to a group of A.I.G. employees.

The New Yorker

Could a less bureaucratic school system really pay extravagant salaries?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing executive compensation, use "extravagant pay" to critically highlight the disproportionate nature of the earnings compared to company performance or employee wages.

Common error

Instead of just saying someone is "well-paid", using "extravagant pay" implies a critical perspective, suggesting the compensation might be excessive or unjustified. Provide context to support this claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extravagant pay" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "extravagant" modifies the noun "pay". It's used to describe the quality or characteristic of the pay, indicating it is excessive. As shown in Ludwig, it is employed to express an opinion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extravagant pay" is a commonly used term, particularly in news and media, to describe compensation that is excessively high. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and functions as a noun phrase, with "extravagant" modifying "pay". The term often carries a negative connotation, implying disapproval or questioning the justification of such high earnings. Alternatives such as "excessive remuneration" or "lavish compensation" can be used to convey similar meanings, but "extravagant pay" specifically highlights potential excess.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Excessive remuneration

Emphasizes the excessiveness of the payment.

Lavish compensation

Highlights the luxurious aspect of the payment.

Generous salary

Focuses on the high value of the salary.

High compensation packages

Refers to the overall value of all the benefits paid.

Sky-high wages

Implies that the wages are at a very high level.

Premium pay scale

Highlights a high-end compensation structure.

Lucrative earnings

Focuses on the profitable aspect of the earnings.

Rich compensation

Describes the pay as abundant.

Over-the-top paychecks

Refers to checks and therefore earnings which are exaggerated.

Outrageous salary levels

Highlights a salary that is beyond standard, and maybe inappropriate.

FAQs

What does "extravagant pay" mean?

"Extravagant pay" refers to compensation that is excessively high or lavish, often disproportionate to the work performed or the company's financial status. It implies a critical perspective on the amount being paid.

How to use "extravagant pay" in a sentence?

You might say, "The CEO's "extravagant pay" package has drawn criticism from shareholders" or "Politicians often decry "extravagant pay" in the public sector during economic crises".

What are some alternatives to "extravagant pay"?

Alternatives include "excessive remuneration", "lavish compensation", or "generous salary", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "extravagant pay" always seen negatively?

Yes, the term "extravagant" generally carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the pay is excessive and perhaps unwarranted. It implies a critical viewpoint regarding the compensation.