A person who spends too much | Britannica Dictionary (2024)

Ask the Editor

Question

A person who spends too much

Answer

Question

What's a word for a person who spends too much? - jtirado, United States

Answer

The word closest in meaning to what you want is spendthrift. Spendthrift is a noun that means "a person who spends money in a careless or wasteful way."

Other words that you might consider are adjectives that describe the trait of being a careless spender:

  • extravagant One of the meanings of extravagant is “spending a lot of money,” as in this example:

On my income, I can't afford to be extravagant.

  • profligate Profligate means “carelessly and foolishly wasting money, materials, etc.,” as in this sentence:

She was profligate in her spending.

  • improvident Improvident means not providing or saving for the future: not sensible regarding money, as in this sentence:

Her improvident habits left her with no retirement savings

The words suggested above are all slightly formal in tone. In casual conversation, many people would simply say, "He is careless with money," or "She spends too much."

Archive

Link to this page:

You can read more articles in the archive.

As a seasoned language enthusiast with a profound understanding of lexical nuances and linguistic intricacies, I'm well-equipped to shed light on the concepts embedded in the provided article. My comprehensive knowledge spans the realm of semantics, allowing me to dissect and elaborate on the intricacies of words and their contextual usage.

In the article, the user inquires about a term for someone who spends too much, and the response suggests the word "spendthrift." A spendthrift is characterized as a noun denoting "a person who spends money in a careless or wasteful way." This term encapsulates the essence of financial extravagance and profligacy, implying a lack of fiscal prudence.

Furthermore, the article delves into additional adjectives that describe the trait of being a careless spender:

  1. Extravagant: This term, when used to describe a person, means spending a significant amount of money without much consideration. For instance, "On my income, I can't afford to be extravagant."

  2. Profligate: Describing someone as profligate implies that they are carelessly and foolishly wasting money or resources. An example sentence could be, "She was profligate in her spending."

  3. Improvident: This adjective characterizes individuals who are not sensible regarding money, particularly in terms of not providing or saving for the future. An example sentence is, "Her improvident habits left her with no retirement savings."

The article acknowledges that these words carry a slightly formal tone. In casual conversation, people might opt for simpler expressions like "careless with money" or "spends too much."

This nuanced exploration of language in the article reflects an acute awareness of the subtleties in expressing concepts related to spending habits, showcasing a command of vocabulary and an ability to convey meaning with precision.

A person who spends too much | Britannica Dictionary (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Last Updated:

Views: 6389

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Birthday: 1993-07-01

Address: Suite 763 6272 Lang Bypass, New Xochitlport, VT 72704-3308

Phone: +22014484519944

Job: Banking Officer

Hobby: Sailing, Gaming, Basketball, Calligraphy, Mycology, Astronomy, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Rev. Leonie Wyman, I am a colorful, tasty, splendid, fair, witty, gorgeous, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.