lavish

[lav-ish]

adjective

1. expended, bestowed, or occurring in profusion.

   lavish spending.

   Synonyms: wild, unrestrained, wasteful, unreasonable, thriftless, intemperate, improvident, immoderate, extravagant, excessive
   Antonyms: meager, sparing

2. using or giving in great amounts; prodigal (often followed byof ).

   lavish of his time;

   lavish of affection.

   Synonyms: unsparing, openhanded, munificent, liberal, free, effusive, bountiful, generous
   Antonyms: tight-fisted, tight, stingy, parsimonious, miserly, cheap

verb (used with object)

1. to expend or give in great amounts or without limit.

   to lavish gifts on a person.

   Synonyms: dissipate, squander, waste, shower, heap
   Antonyms: withhold, stint, begrudge

lavish

/ ˈlævɪʃ /

adjective

1. prolific, abundant, or profuse

2. generous; unstinting; liberal

3. extravagant; prodigal; wasteful

   lavish expenditure

verb

1. (tr) to give, expend, or apply abundantly, generously, or in profusion

Other Word Forms

• lavisher noun
• lavishment noun
• lavishly adverb
• lavishness noun
• overlavish adjective
• overlavishness noun
• unlavish adjective
• unlavished adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lavish¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English lavas “profusion” (noun), “profuse” (adjective), from Middle French lavasse, lavache “downpour of rain,” derivative of laver “to wash,” from Latin lavāre

Word History and Origins

Origin of lavish¹

C15: adj use of lavas profusion, from Old French lavasse torrent, from Latin lavāre to wash

Synonym Study

Lavish, prodigal, profuse refer to that which exists in abundance and is poured out copiously. Lavish suggests (sometimes excessive) generosity and openhandedness: lavish hospitality; much too lavish. Prodigal suggests wastefulness, improvidence, and reckless impatience of restraint: a prodigal extravagance. Profuse emphasizes abundance, but may suggest overemotionalism, exaggeration, or the like: profuse thanks, compliments, apologies.

Example Sentences

The aim will be to dazzle and flatter him with the ultimate red-carpet experience, with guards of honour, flypasts, historic carriages, a lavish banquet, pomp and pageantry.

From BBC

In the weeks before the ban, a "nepo kid" campaign - spotlighting the lavish lifestyles of politicians' children and allegations of corruption - had taken off on social media.

From BBC

In the weeks before the ban, a "nepo kid" campaign, spotlighting the lavish lifestyles of politicians' children and allegations of corruption, had taken off on social media.

From BBC

Viral videos on TikTok and Instagram have contrasted the lavish lifestyles of political families — involving designer clothes, foreign travel and luxury cars — with the harsh realities faced by young people, including unemployment and forced migration.

From BBC

A "nepo kid" campaign - spotlighting the lavish lifestyles of politicians' children and accusing them of being funded by corruption - has taken off on Nepali social media in recent weeks.

From BBC

Related Words

• bountiful 
• effusive 
• excessive 
• extravagant 
• exuberant 
• generous 
• gorgeous 
• grand 
• lush 
• luxurious 
• opulent 
• plush 
• posh 
• profligate 
• ritzy 
• sumptuous 
• swanky 
• wasteful