What’s the difference between luxury and extravagance?
Luxury: something expensive that is pleasant to have but is not necessary

Extravagance: something expensive that you buy even though you do not need it

These are the definitions from the Cambridge dictionary website. I wonder if there’s any difference between these two words, because I was doing a test and the test results came out that they weren’t the same.

Question

What’s the difference between luxury and extravagance?
Luxury: something expensive that is pleasant to have but is not necessary

Extravagance: something expensive that you buy even though you do not need it

These are the definitions from the Cambridge dictionary website. I wonder if there’s any difference between these two words, because I was doing a test and the test results came out that they weren’t the same.

Answer

Hello,

One small difference is that "extravagance" has a connotation of wastefulness.  "Luxury" has a connotation of pampering or treating oneself.

Answer

The meanings overlap.

The central idea of "luxury" is "really nice," "wonderfully comfortable," "expensive but worth every penny."

The central idea of "extravagance" is "excessive," "too much," "wasteful," "conspicuous consumption," "ostentation."

Something might seem "nice" to one person, "a luxury" to another, or "extravagant" to another.

Answer

I agree with Martha6740.  Luxury (sumptuous comfort) doesn't even absolutely need to cost a lot of money, though that is usually the case. Extravagance is when someone buys expensive stuff without a real need for it. Being extravagant may sometimes be considered fun or romantic for a special occasion, but usually is just being excessive and imprudent.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!