definitions

lavish

[ lav-ish ]
/ ˈlæv ɪʃ /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR lavish ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

expended, bestowed, or occurring in profusion: lavish spending.
using or giving in great amounts; prodigal (often followed by of): lavish of his time; lavish of affection.

verb (used with object)

to expend or give in great amounts or without limit: to lavish gifts on a person.

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RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

laveran, lavern, laverock, lavigne, lavinia, lavish, lavoisier, lavoisier, antoine, lavolta, law, law agent

Origin of lavish

1425–75; late Middle English lavas profusion (noun), profuse (adj.) < Middle French lavasse downpour of rain, derivative of laver to wash < Latin lavāre

Related forms

Synonym study

1, 2. 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for lavish

British Dictionary definitions for lavish

lavish

/ (ˈlævɪʃ) /

adjective

prolific, abundant, or profuse
generous; unstinting; liberal
extravagant; prodigal; wastefullavish expenditure

verb

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

Derived Forms

lavisher, nounlavishly, adverblavishment, nounlavishness, noun

Word Origin for lavish

C15: adj use of lavas profusion, from Old French lavasse torrent, from Latin lavāre to wash
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012