overly extravagant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overly extravagant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively lavish or luxurious, often in a negative context. Example: "The wedding was beautiful, but the decorations were overly extravagant, making it feel more like a show than a celebration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

There is cheering, there is hugging, but there are no overly extravagant displays.

Independent

The stalemate between YES and Cablevision might have been avoided -- and YES would not have been created -- if Cablevision had been willing sometime in the last 18 months to pay what it believes was an overly extravagant price.

The New York Times - Sports

There have been major protests in Brazil against what some have said is an overly extravagant outlay.

BBC

"If you're building a simple microscope to snap a picture of a sample stained with H&E hematoxylin and eosin your camera does not need to be overly extravagant".

Science Magazine

His court of about a hundred people was not know for being overly extravagant, he built no luxurious residences, and did not even have a single portrait of himself made during his life.

Wikipedia

According to ancient historians, Nero's construction projects were overly extravagant and the large number of expenditures under Nero left Italy "thoroughly exhausted by contributions of money" with "the provinces ruined".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It was all just too extravagant.

The New York Times - Magazine

Don't make your reward too extravagant.

WikiHow

"This is not some extravagant, overly generous benefit," he added.

Huffington Post

Time and again he's confounded skeptics by making acquisitions and investments that at the time look extravagant and overly ambitious but go on to yield very impressive gains.

Forbes

Occasionally, extravagant prices were paid here too.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or items, use "overly extravagant" to convey that something is excessively lavish, potentially implying disapproval or a sense of inappropriateness. For example, "The wedding decorations were beautiful, but some considered them overly extravagant."

Common error

Avoid using "overly extravagant" when intending to express pure admiration or positivity. The phrase inherently carries a connotation of excess that might not align with your intended sentiment. In purely positive contexts, consider alternatives such as "exceptionally luxurious" or "remarkably lavish".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overly extravagant" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate an excessive level of luxury or lavishness. Ludwig examples show it describing expenditures, displays, and ideas, often with a negative connotation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overly extravagant" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, functioning as an adverb-adjective combination to describe something excessively lavish or luxurious. Ludwig AI indicates that it often carries a negative connotation, implying that the level of extravagance is inappropriate or unnecessary. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources and carries a neutral register, making it suitable for various writing contexts. When choosing to use this phrase, be mindful of its critical undertones, and consider alternative phrasing such as "excessively lavish" if a more neutral or positive sentiment is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively lavish

Focuses on the extreme degree of lavishness, emphasizing that it goes beyond what is reasonable or necessary.

unduly opulent

Highlights the inappropriate level of opulence, suggesting it is more than what is suitable or justified.

inordinately luxurious

Emphasizes the extreme level of luxury, indicating it is beyond normal or acceptable limits.

gratuitously lavish

Highlights that the lavishness is unnecessary and uncalled for, adding a layer of criticism.

unnecessarily elaborate

Focuses on the complexity and detail that is not required or useful, implying wastefulness.

wastefully sumptuous

Emphasizes the wasteful aspect of the sumptuousness, indicating that resources are being squandered.

extravagant to a fault

Highlights the negative consequences of the extravagance, suggesting it has gone too far.

excessively flamboyant

Focuses on the showy and ostentatious nature, suggesting it is over the top.

needlessly ostentatious

Emphasizes the unnecessary display of wealth or luxury intended to impress others.

over-the-top extravagant

Indicates that the extravagance is excessive and beyond what is considered normal or acceptable.

FAQs

How can I use "overly extravagant" in a sentence?

You can use "overly extravagant" to describe something that is excessively lavish or luxurious, often implying a negative judgment. For example: "The party was fun, but the decorations were "overly extravagant"."

What is a synonym for "overly extravagant"?

Synonyms for "overly extravagant" include "excessively lavish", "unduly opulent", or "inordinately luxurious", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "overly extravagant" in formal writing?

Yes, it is appropriate to use "overly extravagant" in formal writing, but consider the context. It's a relatively neutral phrase, but it does imply a critical assessment of excess. In some cases, a more formal alternative like "unduly opulent" may be more fitting.

What's the difference between "extravagant" and "overly extravagant"?

"Extravagant" simply means lavish or luxurious, while "overly extravagant" implies that something is excessively so. The addition of "overly" suggests a negative connotation of excessiveness beyond what is necessary or appropriate.