lavish

[lav-ish] /ˈlæv ɪʃ/
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)
3.
to expend or give in great amounts or without limit:
to lavish gifts on a person.
Origin
1425-75; late Middle English lavas profusion (noun), profuse (adj.) < Middle French lavasse downpour of rain, derivative of laver to wash < Latin lavāre
Related forms
lavisher, noun
lavishly, adverb
lavishness, noun
overlavish, adjective
overlavishly, adverb
overlavishness, noun
unlavish, adjective
unlavished, adjective
Synonyms
1, 2. unstinted, extravagant, wasteful, improvident; generous, openhanded. 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. 3. heap, pour; waste, squander, dissipate.
Antonyms
1, 2. niggardly.
Examples from the web for lavish
  • He never indulges in needless extravagance of rhetoric, lavish epithets, profuse imagery.
  • Something lavish would have been out of character in this drought-tolerant landscape.
  • Instead, new developments are providing lavish common spaces.
  • Several serve lavish, multicourse dinners for guests and visitors.
  • You're welcome to check them all out and root for your favorites by leaving lavish commentary.
  • Strolling through an equatorial rain forest or a northern pine forest can be thrilling enough, if only for the lavish scenery.
  • Refreshments are not lavish, but snacks and beverages are provided.
  • They fly in a private jet, have a personal physician on staff and maintain multiple lavish residences.
  • The dedication and raising of a totem pole is accompanied by a great potlatch, a public feast often involving lavish gift giving.
  • Affluent quilt-makers sought the finest of these calicoes and chintzes to sew into lavish bedcovers.
British Dictionary definitions for lavish

lavish

/ˈlævɪʃ/
adjective
1.
prolific, abundant, or profuse
2.
generous; unstinting; liberal
3.
extravagant; prodigal; wasteful: lavish expenditure
verb
4.
(transitive) to give, expend, or apply abundantly, generously, or in profusion
Derived Forms
lavisher, noun
lavishly, adverb
lavishment, noun
lavishness, noun
Word Origin
C15: adj use of lavas profusion, from Old French lavasse torrent, from Latin lavāre to wash
Word Origin and History for lavish
adj.

mid-15c., from Middle French lavasse (n.) "torrent of rain, deluge," from Old French lavache, from laver "to wash," from Latin lavare "to wash" (see lave). Related: Lavishly.

v.

1540s, from lavish (adj.). Related: Lavished; lavishing.