English Reference

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.”
The Guardian · 25 Sept 2026
“Chelsea ended up splurging some £300m on a bunch of misfits.”
The Guardian · 18 Sept 2026

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.

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference