Word
splurge
US/ˈspɫɝdʒ/
UK/splˈɜːdʒ/
Definition
n. a period of time when you spend a lot of money on things you do not really need. It is often a way to treat yourself after a long time of saving.
n. a period of excessive spending on non-essential items.
Examples
“I am going on a shopping splurge this weekend.”
“After months of strict budgeting, she decided to have a small splurge on a new piece of furniture.”
“The company's annual splurge on office amenities, such as gourmet coffee and ergonomic chairs, is seen by some as a necessary investment in employee morale.”
Examples
simple
“I am going on a shopping splurge this weekend.”
contextual
“After months of strict budgeting, she decided to have a small splurge on a new piece of furniture.”
complex
“The company's annual splurge on office amenities, such as gourmet coffee and ergonomic chairs, is seen by some as a necessary investment in employee morale.”
Real-World Examples
“Budget is a big factor for students, but by the same token there is a lot of going out for coffee, going for sushi, splurging on food every once in a while.” “Chelsea ended up splurging some £300m on a bunch of misfits.” Etymology
Possibly from a blend of splash + surge, originally US. According to the OED, onomatopoeic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/splurge