extravagant

Where does the word "extravagant" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin extravagari, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Extravagant’s story begins in Medieval Latin: extravagari meant “to wander outside.” 'extra', outside, plus 'vagari', to wander. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as extravagant. Used of papal decrees outside the canon law. It reached English by 1300s as extravagant. The sense 'wasteful' dates from the 1700s. Today, extravagant means spending too much; excessive.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval extravagari "to wander outside", 'extra', outside, plus 'vagari', to wander.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval extravagant "wandering", used of papal decrees outside the canon law.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s extravagant "unusual", the sense 'wasteful' dates from the 1700s.