Meaning & Definition of word "Spendthrift"
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Spendthrift
/ˈspɛndˌθrɪft/
noun:
- 1. A person who spends money in an extravagant, irresponsible way.
- Example: Despite his large inheritance, John was a spendthrift and soon found himself broke.
- 2. A person who extravagantly wastes resources.
- Example: Her spendthrift lifestyle left her family in debt and struggling to make ends meet.
- 3. Someone who indulges in luxurious living rather than saving money.
- Example: The spendthrift quickly bought a sports car, thinking only of the thrill, not the cost.
adjective:
- 1. Characterized by spending money extravagantly.
- Example: Their spendthrift ways led them to a financial crisis when unexpected bills arrived.
- 2. Relating to someone or something that is wasteful with resources.
- Example: The spendthrift habits of the organization resulted in significant losses over the years.
Etymology
The term 'spendthrift' is a compound word derived from 'spend' and 'thrift', originally meaning a person who spends money thoughtlessly, as 'thrift' refers to careful management of resources.
Common Phrases and Expressions
live beyond one's means:
To spend more money than one can afford.
money burns a hole in one's pocket:
To spend money quickly due to a desire to spend.
penny wise, pound foolish:
To be careful with small amounts of money but wasteful with larger sums.
Related Words
frugal:
Sparing or economical with regard to money or food.
thrifty:
Using money and other resources carefully and not wastefully.
Slang Meanings of spendthrift
Meaning: Moolah waster
Example Sentence: He's such a moolah waster; he never knows when to stop spending.
Meaning: Cash splash
Example Sentence: After winning the lottery, she went on a cash splash that left her broke.