splurge

[splurj]

verb (used without object)

splurged, splurging 

1. to indulge oneself in some luxury or pleasure, especially a costly one.

   They splurged on a trip to Europe.

2. to show off.

verb (used with object)

splurged, splurging 

1. to spend (money) lavishly or ostentatiously.

   He splurged thousands on the party.

noun

1. an ostentatious display, especially an extravagantly expensive one.

   Synonyms: spree, indulgence

splurge

/ splɜːdʒ /

noun

1. an ostentatious display, esp of wealth

2. a bout of unrestrained extravagance

verb

1. (often foll by on) to spend (money) unrestrainedly or extravagantly

Other Word Forms

• splurgily adverb
• splurgy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of splurge¹

1820–30, perhaps blend of splash and surge

Word History and Origins

Origin of splurge¹

C19: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

When Brad Collett heard about Citi’s new Strata Elite credit card—with perks like airport lounge access and a dedicated service line for top-tier customers—he decided to splurge on his first premium card.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I still wait for promotions, but when I see something beautiful and well made, I’ll splurge a little.”

Read more on Barron's

SYDNEY—Catapult Sports is looking to its latest acquisition to help lower-tier soccer teams target the billions of dollars that the sport’s giants splurge each year on player transfers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I typically just buy one CD,” she said, but splurged on four because she liked the jewelry that came along with each one, especially a necklace.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That explanation misses a crucial shift: middle- and high-income Americans are still splurging, just not on legacy labels.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal