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

“Flashing fish, lavish lily, megalomaniacal mosquito, pensive poet,” goes his thinking.

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Glittering liturgical objects and lavish vestments from the 17th and 18th centuries highlight the skills of European craftsmen from that period as well as the religious import of the church to which they were gifted.

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Executive perks in general have gotten less lavish as Americans developed a more populist sensibility after the financial crisis of the aughts.

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While promoting the book, Dame Jilly lavished alcohol and peerless quotes on any journalist that ventured to her home in Gloucestershire.

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The corruption revelations tend to range from the somewhat venal — party bigwigs living on limited government salaries enjoying lavish lifestyles — to more insidious allegations of Morena officials in league with organized crime.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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