Spendthrift

/ˈspɛndˌθrɪft/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A person who spends money in an extravagant, irresponsible way.

Despite his large inheritance, John was a spendthrift and soon found himself broke.

A person who extravagantly wastes resources.

Her spendthrift lifestyle left her family in debt and struggling to make ends meet.

Someone who indulges in luxurious living rather than saving money.

The spendthrift quickly bought a sports car, thinking only of the thrill, not the cost.

adjective

Characterized by spending money extravagantly.

Their spendthrift ways led them to a financial crisis when unexpected bills arrived.

Relating to someone or something that is wasteful with resources.

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

Moolah waster

He's such a moolah waster; he never knows when to stop spending.

Cash splash

After winning the lottery, she went on a cash splash that left her broke.