extravaganza
UK[ɪkˌstrævəˈɡænzə]US[ɪkˌstrævəˈɡænzə]
n
a very elaborate and spectacular entertainment or event.
n
a literary or musical work marked by extreme freedom of style and structure.
Morpheme Breakdown
extra
vaganza
extra
beyond
vaganza
wandering/roaming
Etymology
the word "extravaganza" entered english in the 18th century from italian, where it was a derivative of the verb 'vagare' (to wander). the italian 'stravaganza' meant eccentricity or extravagance, literally a "wandering beyond" bounds. english adopted the form, prefixing the latin 'extra-' (beyond) to reinforce this sense of excess. thus, the term's journey from a literal idea of physical wandering evolved into a metaphor for artistic and spectacular productions that wander beyond the limits of convention and normal scale.
Analysis
Structure: extra (beyond) + vaganza (wandering/roaming)
extra (latin, prefix meaning "outside, beyond"); vaganza (from italian 'vagare', meaning "to wander, roam", of latin origin)
Examples
the new year's eve celebration was a dazzling extravaganza of lights, music, and fireworks.
the film director is known for creating cinematic extravaganzas with enormous budgets.
the school put on a musical extravaganza involving over a hundred students.