conspicuous consumption

USAGE SUMMARY

"conspicuous consumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a term used by economists to refer to the act of buying things to display wealth and status rather than for practical or functional reasons. For example, "John is guilty of conspicuous consumption, often buying luxury items even though he can't afford them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Conspicuous consumption is out.

The Economist

So was the conspicuous consumption.

The New York Times

Q. Talk about conspicuous consumption.

The New York Times

First, young people positively relish conspicuous consumption.

The Economist

"It's a form of conspicuous consumption".

The New Yorker

Conspicuous consumption trumps quieter kinds of experience.

The New York Times - Books

"Conspicuous consumption is out; purposefulness is in".

The New York Times

Ostentatious parsimony is the new conspicuous consumption.

The Economist

There's an awareness of conspicuous consumption".

The New York Times

"Vertu isn't about conspicuous consumption," he maintains.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nantucket was about leaving conspicuous consumption behind.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic trends or societal critiques, use "conspicuous consumption" to highlight the motivation behind excessive purchases being social signaling rather than pure need or enjoyment.

Common error

Avoid using "conspicuous consumption" when simply describing luxury goods or services. The term implies a deliberate intent to display wealth and status, not merely enjoying high-quality items.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conspicuous consumption" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in academic, journalistic, and general contexts, illustrating its role in describing specific economic and social behaviors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conspicuous consumption" is a well-established term used to describe the act of purchasing goods and services primarily to display wealth and social status. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used, predominantly in news and business contexts. While alternatives exist, such as "ostentatious display of wealth" and "extravagant spending", it's crucial to distinguish it from simple consumerism or luxury, which do not necessarily imply the intention of displaying wealth. When writing, remember that the term carries a critical connotation, often used to analyze or critique societal behaviors related to wealth and status.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ostentatious display of wealth

Focuses on the outward showing of riches rather than the act of consuming itself.

extravagant spending

Highlights the excessiveness of the spending habits, downplaying the motive of display.

flaunting one's wealth

Emphasizes the act of boasting about wealth through purchases, rather than the purchases themselves.

showing off material possessions

Centers on the act of displaying physical items to impress others.

wasteful expenditure for status

Highlights the inefficient allocation of resources driven by the desire for social standing.

luxury branding for social signaling

Links brand choice with the primary function of signalling social class.

status-driven purchasing

Highlights the social factors influencing the decision to consume certain goods.

obvious consumerism

Focuses on the highly visible aspect of consumer behavior.

excessive consumerism

Highlights the idea of over-the-top and unrestrained consumption of any kind of good.

materialistic exhibitionism

Highlights that those things that are consumed are shown off for exposure.

FAQs

How is "conspicuous consumption" used in a sentence?

"Conspicuous consumption" is often used to describe the act of purchasing expensive items to display wealth and social status. For example, "The rise in luxury car sales is often cited as an example of "conspicuous consumption"".

What's the difference between "conspicuous consumption" and "consumerism"?

"Consumerism" generally refers to the promotion of purchasing goods and services, while "conspicuous consumption" specifically describes buying items to display wealth. "Consumerism" drives the economy, and "conspicuous consumption" signals social status.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "conspicuous consumption"?

Alternatives include "ostentatious display of wealth", "extravagant spending", and "flaunting one's wealth". Each emphasizes different aspects of displaying wealth through purchasing.

What motivates "conspicuous consumption"?

The primary motivation behind "conspicuous consumption" is to gain social status and recognition by displaying wealth. It's about signaling one's position in society through expensive and often unnecessary purchases.