Crossword Genius

Luxury extension can perhaps ruin housing (12)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

extravagance

'luxury' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'extension can perhaps ruin housing' is the wordplay.
'extension' becomes 'ext' (abbreviation, as in a telephone extension).
'perhaps' is an anagram indicator.
'ruin' becomes 'ravage' (ravaging is a kind of ruining).
'housing' is an insertion indicator.
'can' with letters rearranged gives 'anc'.
'anc' inserted into 'ravage' is 'ravagance'.
'ext'+'ravagance'='EXTRAVAGANCE'

(Other definitions for extravagance that I've seen before include "Profligacy" , "Lavish expenditure (E, not Y)" , "Overspending" , "Excessive spending" , "lavish generosity" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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