Word: inordinate (adjective)

Associations

The word "inordinate" means something that is unusually or excessively large, great, or beyond normal limits. It often describes amounts, feelings, or actions that are too much or not reasonable.

• Example 1: "He spent an inordinate amount of time on his homework." This means he spent too much time, more than what is normal or necessary.
• Example 2: "She showed inordinate enthusiasm for the project." This means her enthusiasm was very strong, maybe more than expected.
• Example 3: "The costs were inordinate, making the project difficult to finish." This means the costs were excessively high.

Synonym: "excessive" is a well-known synonym. The difference is that "inordinate" often suggests something is beyond reasonable limits, sometimes unexpectedly so, while "excessive" simply means too much without implying surprise or unusualness.

Substitution

You can replace "inordinate" with:

• excessive (means too much)
• undue (means more than is appropriate)
• disproportionate (means not in correct relation or balance) Using these words might change the tone slightly. For example, "undue" often suggests something unfair or improper.

Deconstruction

• Prefix: "in-" means "not" or "without"
• Root: "ordinate" comes from Latin "ordinatus," meaning "arranged" or "ordered" So "inordinate" literally means "not ordered" or "not arranged properly," which fits with the idea of something being excessive or beyond normal limits.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a situation where you or someone else showed inordinate patience or anger?
• How would you describe a time when something was inordinate in your life, like spending too much time or money on something?
• Do you think "inordinate" has a stronger meaning than "excessive"? Why or why not?