spend

spend

verb \ˈspend\

spent \ˈspent\ spend·ing

Definition of SPEND

transitive verb

1

: to use up or pay out : expend

2

a : exhaust, wear out <the hurricane gradually spent itself>

b : to consume wastefully : squander <the waters are not ours to spend — J. R. Ellis>

3

: to cause or permit to elapse : pass <spend the night>

4

: give up, sacrifice

intransitive verb

1

: to expend or waste wealth or strength

2

: to become expended or consumed

3

: to have an orgasm

— spend·able \ˈspen-də-bəl\ adjective

— spend·er noun

Examples of SPEND

1. I spent $30 on his birthday gift.
2. They spend a lot on clothes and cars.
3. I want to buy a new car, but I don't have much money to spend.
4. Her willingness to spend freely made her popular among her friends.
5. He spends lavishly on vacations.
6. I spent my summer at the beach.
7. She spent eight months living in New York City.
8. Relaxing with friends is a great way to spend a weekend.
9. Our cat spends most of his time sleeping.
10. Too much of my time is spent arguing with customers.

Origin of SPEND

Middle English, from Old English -spendan, from Medieval Latin expendere to disburse, use up, from Latin, to measure by weight, pay out — more at expend

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to SPEND

Synonyms

disburse, drop, expend, fork (over, out, or up), give, lay out, outlay, pay, shell out

Antonyms

renew, replace

Related Words

lavish, rain; blow, dissipate, fritter (away), run through, squander, throw away, waste

Near Antonyms

cache, hoard, lay up, save; acquire, earn, gain, garner, make, procure, realize, secure, win

Rhymes with SPEND

bend, blend, blende, end, fend, friend, lend, mend, rend, scend, send, shend, tend, trend, vend, wend, Wend