Extravaganza

printer friendly format

(pronounced ik-strav-uh-gan-zuh)  noun

Definition

1. a musical, dramatic, or literary composition characterized by a loose structure, usually with elements of burlesque, satire, or parody. 2. a lavish or spectacular show, event, display, collection, etc.; an elaborate or opulent entertainment or production.

Main Example

• Did you watch the John McCain memorial service of Saturday, Sept. 1, which was broadcast live from the National Cathedral? Eulogies by two former presidents; memorable speeches by McCain daughter Meghan, close friend Joe Lieberman, and the estimable Henry Kissinger; moments of prayer; numerous musical interludes, including the playing of “Simple Gifts” to greet the invitees and, much later, a highly impassioned rendition of “Danny Boy” by American soprano Renee Fleming; a distinctly bipartisan flavor from the beginning to the end...all this helped make the two-and-a-half-hour event an extravaganza. No wonder CBS veteran Bob Schieffer commented after it was over, “We haven’t seen anything like this for decades.”

Workplace Examples

• Jay, allow me to make a suggestion since you are pretty new to this country. No matter how much work pressure there is here in our IT department, you absolutely must join the gang that is traveling to Las Vegas for next month’s trade show. Even if you don’t much care for the exhibits in the show, there is plenty else to enjoy. The Vegas Strip, which I am sure you’ve heard of, is an extravaganza like none other, at least not in North America.
• Chelsea, you are visiting New York City for the first time, right? Well, since you have such varied interests, you’ll have a great time, and you’ll come back with your head exploding with memories. I’ve always described NYC as the quintessential city for tourists because it’s such an extravaganza of museums, choice restaurants, theatre, iconic buildings and landmarks, not to mention the high-end shopping on Fifth Avenue. Have you made a list of your sightseeing priorities?

Other Examples

• an acquaintance urging this author, whose No. 1 avocation is critically acclaimed movies, to visit the Sundance Film Festival, adding: “It’s an extravaganza of films of just about every genre. You’ll feel like you are on an altogether different planet!”
• a wine extravaganza; an extravaganza of desserts; the extravaganza of plants and shrubs at a huge nursery
• at a lavish wedding in New Delhi, guests being overwhelmed with an extravaganza of different cuisines, including Italian, Chinese, Indian Chinese, Mexican, Thai, Mediterranean, Rajasthani, South Indian, Punjabi...
• comparing his then recently released “Saving Private Ryan” with the iconic D-Day film “The Longest Day” (1962), Steven Spielberg telling PBS during a 1998 interview: “I didn’t want this picture to seem like a Hollywood production coming to Omaha Beach and making a gung-ho extravaganza.”

© 2019 V.J. Singal
No part of this may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the author.

This Month's Other Words

To help you sharply enhance your vocabulary

The Articulate Professional -- 3rd Edition
Click here for features and sample pages, or place an order.

Copyright © 1999 - 2019 by V.J. Singal. Articulate is a registered trademark.
Questions or comments may be sent directly to the author.
Phone: 281-463-2500, Houston, TX, @VJSingal1