Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- adj. Characterized by or produced with extravagance and profusion: a lavish buffet. See Synonyms at profuse.
- adj. Immoderate in giving or bestowing; unstinting: The critics were lavish with their praise.
- v. To give or bestow in abundance; shower: lavished attention on his customers.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- Expending or bestowing with profusion; profuse; prodigal: as, to be lavish of expense, of praise, or of blood.
- Unrestrained; wild.
- Expended or bestowed with prodigality or in profuseness; existing in or characterized by profusion; superabundant.
- Rank, as grass, etc.
- Synonyms and Profuse, etc. See extravagant.
- To expend or bestow with profusion; give or layout prodigally: as, to lavish encomiums on a person; to lavish money on a friend, or for gratification.
- n. Waste; squandering.
Wiktionary
- adj. Expending or bestowing profusely; profuse; prodigal; as, lavish of money; lavish of praise.
- adj. Superabundant; excessive; as, lavish spirits.
- v. To expend or bestow with profusion; to use with prodigality; to squander; as, to lavish money or praise.
GNU Webster's 1913
- adj. Expending or bestowing profusely; profuse; prodigal.
- adj. Superabundant; excessive.
- v. To expend or bestow with profusion; to use with prodigality; to squander.
WordNet 3.0
- v. expend profusely; also used with abstract nouns
- adj. very generous
- adj. characterized by extravagance and profusion
Etymologies
- Middle English laves, probably from Old French lavasse, downpour, from laver, to wash, from Latin lavāre; see lave.
Examples
“Grass-roots party members and big donors have been fuming for months over what they call lavish spending at a time when fundraising has been hampered by the economy and a string of political controversies.”
“All this is explored in lavish detail, with no pat answers.”
So Much for That: Summary and book reviews of So Much for That by Lionel Shriver.
“The View Road Villa: Extravagant design wrapped up in lavish delights”
“Japanese socialites were also participating in lavish balls in Western-style evening gowns and tuxedos.”
Women of Meiji Japan & Western Fashion | Edwardian Promenade
“Read: eMeg and her fellow million-and-billionaires would soak in lavish returns while California's budget continues to shrink.”
The Huffington Post: Carly Schwartz: Stiff & Vague Meets Engaging & Informed
“If you like to live the high life when you're traveling, be aware that the IRS does not permit deductions for expenses that it calls lavish or extravagant.”
“Rep. Barney Frank, what do you call lavish spending for entertainment?”
“But defenders say that what some call a lavish perk is in reality a necessary security requirement and productivity booster for top corporate officials.”
“Most of the dozen or so journalists have been working on stories about how the 29-year-old Malema could afford what has been widely described as his lavish lifestyle on his ANC salary - reportedly the equivalent of some $2500 a month.”
“He bought a refrigerator and a freezer hidden behind what the paper describes as lavish wood paneling, and apparently got monogrammed towels.”
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘lavish’.
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GRE Barrons Wordlist
A complete Barron's Wordlist for GRE preparation. Your online flashcard replacement.
abase, abash, abate, abbreviate, abdicate, aberrant, aberration, abet, abeyance, abhor, abject, abjure and 4084 more...
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Vocab7
beseech, consternation, delectable, garland, gratify, haughty, impetuous, lavish, pluck, ponder, privilege, prostrate and 3 more...
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Lesson 7
Wordly Wise 7 Lesson 7. beseech - whim
beseech, consternation, delectable, garland, gratify, haughty, impetuous, lavish, pluck, ponder, privilege, prostrate and 3 more...
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lessson 7 vocab
beseech, consternation, delectable, garland, gratify, haughty, impetuous, lavish, pluck, ponder, privilege, prostrate and 3 more...
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Vocab list 6
beseech, consternation, delectable, garland, gratify, haughty, impetuous, lavish, pluck, ponder, privilege, prostrate and 6 more...
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Excessive
profusely, abundantly, lavish, extravagant, wasteful, exuberant
Kristianto2010 Better to trust in the God who lavishes care on the whole earth than to spend our lives worrying about money and possessions. ODB, March 24, 2011.
Mar 23, 2011
fbharjo another word for prodigal Mar 26, 2009
oroboros LAviSH Jun 14, 2008