exorbitant
What does "exorbitant" mean?
The word "exorbitant" refers to a price, amount, or demand that is unreasonably high or far beyond what is considered fair or normal. The mental image is of something "going out of orbit"—a value that has escaped the gravity of reasonable boundaries and soared into a realm that is disconnected from reality. It is almost exclusively used to describe costs, fees, interest rates, or demands. Because it carries a strong tone of disapproval or shock, it is best reserved for formal writing or serious conversation where you want to emphasize that a price is not just high, but genuinely unfair or predatory.
"exorbitant" in conversation
Discussing a hotel bill
Did you see the bill? They charged us forty dollars for a club sandwich!
Did you see the bill? They charged us forty dollars for a club sandwich!
That is absolutely exorbitant. I'm definitely asking to speak with the manager.
That is absolutely exorbitant. I'm definitely asking to speak with the manager.
Used to express outrage at an unfair price.
Apartment hunting
The rent is two thousand a month, plus utilities.
The rent is two thousand a month, plus utilities.
For a studio this small? The price is exorbitant given the neighborhood.
For a studio this small? The price is exorbitant given the neighborhood.
Used to criticize a poor value-for-money ratio.
"exorbitant" in a sentence
The hotel charges an exorbitant fee for parking.
The hotel charges an exorbitant fee for parking.
Many students find the exorbitant cost of textbooks to be a major financial burden.
Many students find the exorbitant cost of textbooks to be a major financial burden.
The startup failed after incurring exorbitant legal expenses during their initial patent disputes.
The startup failed after incurring exorbitant legal expenses during their initial patent disputes.
