lavish

play

adjective lav·ish \ˈla-vish\

Definition of lavish

1 : expending or bestowing profusely : prodigal lavish donors lavish in giving praise to her employees
2a : expended or produced in abundance the lavish attentions of his mother — George Meredithb : marked by profusion or excess a lavish feast a lavish home

lavishly

adverb

lavishness

noun

See lavish defined for English-language learners

See lavish defined for kids

Examples of lavish in a Sentence

a lavish display of flowers
this lavish consumption of our natural resources simply cannot continue

Origin and Etymology of lavish

Middle English laves, lavage, probably from Middle French lavasse, lavache downpour of rain, from laver to wash — more at lavage

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First Known Use: 15th century

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Synonym Discussion of lavish

profuse, lavish, prodigal, luxuriant, lush, exuberant mean giving or given out in great abundance. profuse implies pouring forth without restraint. profuse apologies lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion. a lavish party prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources. prodigal spending luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance. a luxuriant beard lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance. a lush green lawn exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly. an exuberant imagination

lavish

verb lav·ish

Definition of lavish

transitive verb
: to expend or bestow with profusion : squander

See lavish defined for English-language learners

Examples of lavish in a Sentence

doting parents lavishing lots of attention on their children
a great actor who lavished his talent in lousy movies

Origin and Etymology of lavish

see ¹lavish

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First Known Use: 1542

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LAVISH Defined for English Language Learners

lavish

play

adjective

Definition of lavish for English Language Learners

: giving or using a large amount of something
: given in large amounts
: having a very rich and expensive quality

LAVISH Defined for Kids

lavish

play

adjective lav·ish \ˈla-vish\

Definition of lavish for Students

1 : giving or involving a large amount : extravagant The lobby contained a lavish display of flowers.
2 : spent, produced, or given in large amounts She received lavish praise.

lavishly

adverb

History for lavish

Lavish comes from an older English noun lavish that meant “plenty.” This noun probably came from a medieval French word lavasse, “a heavy rain.” This French word is derived from a verb laver, “to wash,” which goes back to Latin lavare. Other English words that ultimately trace back to lavare are lavatory and laundry.