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

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

I’ve written before about a Headquarters Indicator: a company builds a lavish new headquarters and its stock soon peaks.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The juxtaposition has not gone unnoticed on social media, with critics highlighting the stark gap between the lavish celebration and daily necessity.

Read more on Salon

He remained in Royal Lodge on the Windsor Estate, despite entreaties by Charles that he move to somewhere less lavish.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He has struck in plain sight - again - killing off Claudia's "Queen of the Castle", Celia Imrie, by quoting the bard while pouring her a goblet of wine at a lavish dinner for the remaining contestants.

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Sheridan’s house style combined articulate heroes and lavish imagery with meat-and-potatoes action and graphic violence.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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