a lavish spread

USAGE SUMMARY

"a lavish spread" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe an abundant and luxurious arrangement of food or items, often at a gathering or event. For example, "The wedding reception featured a lavish spread of gourmet dishes and desserts." Alternative expressions include "an extravagant array" and "a sumptuous display."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Food

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Breakfast was a lavish spread, including home-cured ham and a tarragon and strawberry cake.

The Guardian - Travel

Stalin kept a dacha compound there called Green Grove, and Putin now has a lavish spread in the area.

The New Yorker

Ms. Hernandez's nephew opted to eat Thanksgiving with other relatives, but the Hernandezes still prepared a lavish spread.

The New York Times

The restaurant now offers a lavish spread, to feed as many as eight, centered on a whole suckling pig from DeBragga & Spitler, roasted and stuffed with sausage.

The New York Times - Food

Over the next 20 years, evoked via a lavish spread of people, settings and ideas, this charmed circle of light and love both widens and fragments.

Independent

Mr. Goncalves, who will have 17 cooks that night, takes the cruise-ship approach, presenting a lavish spread that might induce vertigo even at ground level.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Chickpea fritters with cheese, figs and prosciutto sounds like a lavish rustic spread, but it turns out to be a cool, carefully stacked knife-and-fork appetizer ($11).

The New York Times - Food

Brom also worked as a commercial cook so you can expect a lavish breakfast spread, and both of them are fountains of knowledge on Sydney and its surrounds.

The Guardian - Travel

In November 2006, four months before Deamonte died, Prince George's County had been featured in a lavish colour spread in Ebony magazine, under the headline "America's Wealthiest Black County".

The Guardian

For Christmas day, indulge in a lavish buffet spread of the finest festive dishes (as seen in the picture at top of this post) on rotation at Rise restaurant in Marina Bay Sands Singapore.

Forbes

BEST ON-MOUNTAIN DINING: For lunch the resort's Royal Street Café is a bit of a hidden gem, with cheeses made in house, an eclectic casual menu and indoor or outdoor dining The classic is the restaurant at the Stein Eriksen which puts on a lavish buffet spread that for many repeat guests is a must-do part of their vacation, but you can also order off the menu, which includes a fantastic burger.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lavish spread" when you want to convey the idea of abundance, luxury, and a wide variety of items, especially food or decorative objects, presented in an impressive manner. It is suitable for describing events, meals, or displays designed to impress.

Common error

Avoid using "a lavish spread" to describe everyday or simple meals. Reserve it for occasions where the presentation and abundance are truly exceptional. Using it in mundane situations can sound exaggerated or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a lavish spread" is as a noun phrase, often functioning as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. This phrase usually serves as an adjective describing the noun 'spread'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Travel

11%

Food

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lavish spread" is a noun phrase used to describe an abundant and luxurious display, most often referring to food or goods. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It commonly appears in News & Media, Travel, and Food contexts, carrying a neutral register suitable for broad audiences. Alternative phrases include ""an extravagant display"" and ""a sumptuous array"". Use this phrase to convey abundance and luxury, but avoid overuse in simple or mundane contexts to maintain its impact. Key sources employing this phrase include The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extravagant display

Focuses on the visual impressiveness and abundance, similar to "lavish" but emphasizes the presentation.

a sumptuous array

Highlights the richness and high quality of the items presented, adding a sense of luxury.

a generous feast

Emphasizes the abundance and celebratory nature of the offering, focusing on the act of feasting.

an abundant selection

Highlights the wide variety and plentiful nature of the items available.

a luxurious buffet

Specifically refers to a buffet setting, emphasizing the high-end quality of the food.

a magnificent display

Emphasizes the impressive and grand nature of the presentation.

an opulent arrangement

Highlights the luxurious and wealthy aspect of the setup, suggesting richness.

a rich assortment

Focuses on the diverse and high-quality nature of the collection.

a plentiful offering

Stresses the abundant quantity of items presented.

a deluxe presentation

Highlights the high-quality and premium aspect of the way something is presented.

FAQs

How can I use "a lavish spread" in a sentence?

You can use "a lavish spread" to describe a large and impressive display of food, goods, or resources. For example: "The hotel offered "a lavish spread" for their Sunday brunch."

What is a less formal alternative to "a lavish spread"?

For a less formal alternative, you could use phrases like "a big spread" or "a generous buffet". These options convey the idea of abundance without the connotation of extravagance associated with "a lavish spread".

Is "a lavish spread" only used to describe food?

While often used to describe food, "a lavish spread" can also describe other impressive displays. For example, it could describe a collection of luxurious goods or "an extravagant display" of decorations.

What's the difference between "a generous spread" and "a lavish spread"?

"A generous spread" emphasizes the quantity and abundance, suggesting a plentiful offering. "A lavish spread", on the other hand, emphasizes luxury, expense, and opulence in addition to quantity. A generous spread might be a large home-cooked meal, while "a lavish spread" implies something more extravagant and carefully presented like "a sumptuous array".