lavish

[ lav-ish ]
See synonyms for: lavishlavishedlavishinglavishly on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. expended, bestowed, or occurring in profusion: lavish spending.

  2. using or giving in great amounts; prodigal (often followed by of): lavish of his time;lavish of affection.

verb (used with object)
  1. to expend or give in great amounts or without limit: to lavish gifts on a person.

Origin of lavish

1
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

synonym study For lavish

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.

Other words for lavish

Opposites for lavish

Other words from lavish

  • lav·ish·er, noun
  • lav·ish·ly, adverb
  • lav·ish·ness, noun
  • o·ver·lav·ish, adjective
  • o·ver·lav·ish·ness, noun
  • un·lav·ish, adjective
  • un·lav·ished, adjective

Words Nearby lavish

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use lavish in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for lavish

lavish

/ (ˈlævɪʃ) /


adjective
  1. prolific, abundant, or profuse

  2. generous; unstinting; liberal

  1. extravagant; prodigal; wasteful: lavish expenditure

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

Origin of lavish

1
C15: adj use of lavas profusion, from Old French lavasse torrent, from Latin lavāre to wash

Derived forms of lavish

  • lavisher, noun
  • lavishly, adverb
  • lavishment, noun
  • lavishness, noun

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