lavish

USAGE SUMMARY

'lavish' is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone as extravagant or generous in terms of money, time, or emotion. For example: The bride and groom's wedding was incredibly lavish, with all of their guests seated at gleaming, white-clothed tables.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is the intellectual justification for why such a high premium is placed on degrees from first-tier business schools, and why the compensation packages for top executives have become so lavish.

The Economist

Featuring the same glossy photographs and gushing prose on Hurley's lavish marriage to Indian businessman Arun Nayar as the current UK edition, its publisher promised a similar mix of celebrities, royalty, sports stars and business leaders.

The Guardian

A greater contrast with the hangars of Mipim can hardly be imagined: no lavish buffet, just a kettle and some instant coffee; no PowerPoint slides but a dungareed bloke scribbling on a flipchart.

The Guardian - Opinion

A vivid personality and at times an influential figure in intellectual and political life, he observed enough of the rules of the game to maintain a comfortable, although far from lavish, lifestyle.

The Guardian

Shoppers at the national chain of Costco stores who shelled out extra bucks for the lavish Ultimate Toy Box set were alarmed to find that their copies contained scenes that didn't quite fit with the Pixel universe.

The Guardian - Film

Nine suites sport luxurious fabrics and lavish design touches, from marble baths to inlaid headboards.

The Guardian - Travel

Alex Hope, the former Wembley stadium catering manager who reinvented himself as a day-trading currency markets expert, has been found guilty of defrauding investors out of £5m to help fund a lavish lifestyle.

The Guardian - Business

Instead we were given more of the same – tax breaks for fracking companies, and no end to lavish subsidies for the nuclear and fossil fuel industries.

The Guardian - Opinion

Opposite the house is the town's pretty 19th-century church, and nearby is the Palace of Estoi, where you can stroll in the lavish gardens.

The Guardian - Travel

Jonathan's perceived casual indifference to the suffering of his people was compounded when he was photographed celebrating his niece's lavish wedding just a few days after Boko Haram had killed 2,000 people in the town of Baga.

The Guardian

His state of the nation address last Thursday descended into chaos and fisticuffs when armed security were called to remove the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters EFFF) after they raised questions over lavish public spending on Zuma's rural homestead.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or lifestyles, use "lavish" to emphasize extravagance and abundance, for instance, "a lavish wedding" or "a lavish lifestyle".

Common error

While "lavish" is appropriate for describing luxurious or extravagant displays, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing where more neutral terms like "extensive" or "abundant" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lavish" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something abundant, extravagant, or generous. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it's used to describe things like "lavish wedding", "lavish lifestyle", and "lavish gardens". According to Ludwig AI, it’s usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lavish" functions primarily as an adjective to describe something abundant, extravagant, or generous. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly correct and commonly used in written English. It frequently appears in contexts such as news and media, describing "lavish weddings", "lavish lifestyles", and "lavish subsidies". While a versatile term, it's best to avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Ludwig’s examples and analysis underscore its widespread usage and appropriate contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extravagant

Implies spending money freely or excessively; focuses on the cost.

profuse

Describes abundance and generosity, often in non-material contexts like praise or apologies.

generous

Focuses on the act of giving freely and abundantly.

opulent

Suggests great wealth and luxuriousness.

sumptuous

Refers to something rich and luxurious, especially food or surroundings.

luxurious

Emphasizes comfort and elegance.

plush

Indicates richness and comfort, often used to describe interiors or fabrics.

abundant

Highlights a large quantity or supply.

prodigal

Suggests wasteful or reckless extravagance.

munificent

Emphasizes exceptional generosity and giving.

FAQs

How can I use "lavish" in a sentence?

You can use "lavish" to describe something extravagant or generous, like "They threw a "lavish party"" or "She received lavish praise for her performance."

What's a good alternative to the word "lavish"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "extravagant", "profuse", or "generous".

Is it correct to say "lavish on"?

Yes, you can use "lavish on" to mean to bestow something generously, as in "They "lavish praise on" the new artist".

What's the difference between "lavish" and "luxurious"?

"Lavish" emphasizes extravagance and abundance, while "luxurious" emphasizes comfort and elegance. Something can be luxurious without being overly extravagant, and vice versa.