Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Characterized by great abundance, extravagance, or profusion: "Lavish" describes something that is very generous, costly, or abundant, often to the point of excess.
   • Very generous or liberal in giving or using: "Lavish" can describe a person or action that gives or spends in a very abundant and unstinting way.

2. Verb:

   • To give, spend, or bestow in great or excessive amounts: "Lavish" means to expend or provide something (money, time, praise, affection) generously and profusely.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • They threw a lavish party with gourmet food and live music. (The party was characterized by extravagance and abundance.)
  • She was lavish in her praise for the team's hard work. (She was very generous and unstinting with her praise.)

• Verb:

  • He lavished attention on his new puppy. (He gave his puppy a great amount of attention.)
  • The foundation lavishes funds on scientific research. (The foundation expends funds profusely on research.)

Advanced Usage

• "Lavish with": To be very generous or liberal in the use or bestowal of something.

  • He is never lavish with compliments. (He is not generous in giving compliments.)

• "Lavish on/upon": To bestow something in great quantities on someone or something.

  • She lavished all her care on the project. (She devoted a profuse amount of care to the project.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lavishly (adverb): In a lavish manner; extravagantly.

  • The room was lavishly decorated. (The room was decorated in an extravagant manner.)

• Lavishness (noun): The quality or state of being lavish; extravagance.

  • The lavishness of the wedding was astonishing. (The extravagance of the wedding was astonishing.)

Synonyms

• Adjective: Extravagant, luxurious, opulent, sumptuous, generous, munificent, unstinting, profuse.
• Verb: Shower, heap, pour, bestow generously.

Antonyms

• Adjective: Frugal, meager, scanty, stingy, sparing, modest.
• Verb: Withhold, stint, skimp, begrudge.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Lavish lifestyle: A way of living characterized by great spending and luxury.

  • The celebrity was known for her lavish lifestyle. (The celebrity was known for her extravagant way of living.)

• Lavish spread: A large and abundant assortment of food.

  • The dinner table featured a lavish spread of delicacies. (The table had a profuse and generous assortment of fine foods.)

Adjective

1. characterized by extravagance and profusion
   • a lavish buffet
   • a lucullan feast
2. very generous
   • distributed gifts with a lavish hand
   • the critics were lavish in their praise
   • a munificent gift
   • his father gave him a half-dollar and his mother a quarter and he thought them munificent
   • prodigal praise
   • unsparing generosity
   • his unstinted devotion
   • called for unstinting aid to Britain

Verb

1. expend profusely; also used with abstract nouns
   • He was showered with praise