spendthrift

American  

[spend-thrift] / ˈspɛndˌθrɪft /

noun

1. a person who spends possessions or money extravagantly or wastefully; prodigal.

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adjective

1. wastefully extravagant; prodigal.

   Synonyms:

   profligate, improvident, wasteful

spendthrift British  

/ ˈspɛndˌθrɪft /

noun

1. a person who spends money in an extravagant manner

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adjective

1. (usually prenominal) of or like a spendthrift

   spendthrift economies

Etymology

Origin of spendthrift

First recorded in 1595–1605; spend + thrift

Explanation

A spendthrift person is reckless and wasteful with his money. If you're a spendthrift, you might find yourself in debt. However, it might be fun to have a spendthrift friend who likes to treat you to expensive lunches and lavish gifts. Spendthrift was created by sticking two opposite words together: spend and thrift, which means “savings, wealth.” So a spendthrift spends all of his savings. Spendthrift people are the worst nightmare of retirement planners and Scrooges all over the globe. So unless you want to be called a spendthrift, think twice about your next purchase.

Example Sentences

He is immediately headed to Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Ky., where he will stand as a stallion.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2023

One of his more loyal stables, Spendthrift Farm, moved six of its horses from Baffert’s barn.

From New York Times • Jul. 14, 2021

The colt is owned by Spendthrift Farm, Madaket Stables, Starlight Racing and MyRaceHorse Stable, which allows people to own a very, very small part of the horse for a modest investment.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 7, 2020

Among the syndicates owning big shares of Authentic is Spendthrift Farm, whose owner, B. Wayne Hughes, founded Public Storage.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 5, 2020

My Father had cast me off, my Fortune was consum'd, my Wife was lost, I was every where call'd a Sot, a Spendthrift, a Rake and what not?

From Colloquies of Erasmus, Volume I. by Erasmus, Desiderius