Basic Details
Word: Lavish
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Very rich, grand or generous, often more than is needed; costly and showy.
Synonyms: grand, generous, luxurious, extravagant
Antonyms: modest, simple, plain, frugal
How to Spell Lavish
Syllables: lav - ish
Tricky part: There is one v, followed by ish. Students double the v (lavvish) or write esh instead of ish.
Watch out for: lavvish, lavesh, lavich
Memory tip: Lavish ends with the ish of radish and relish, and the v is never doubled: l-a-v-ish.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The wedding feast was lavish, with forty dishes on the menu.
Example 2: The film star lives in a lavish bungalow by the sea in Mumbai.
Example 3: My aunt lavishes attention on her pet parrot.
Fun Fact
Lavish probably comes from the Old French lavasse, a heavy downpour of rain, so something lavish pours out in great plenty.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the word opposite in meaning to lavish as used in the sentence:
For his tenth birthday, Kunal's parents threw a lavish party with a magician, a band and a three-tier cake.
a) modest
b) costly
c) luxurious
d) grand
Show answer
a) modest. A party with a magician and a band is far from modest; the other three describe it.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. vanquich 2. lavish 3. publesh 4. feverrish
a) to print and offer to the public
b) rich and generous, often more than needed
c) to defeat completely
d) having a high body temperature
Show answer
b) rich and generous, often more than needed. Feverish has one r, publish has an i and vanquish ends in sh; lavish is the correct word.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
lavvish
a) i
b) a
c) v
d) s
Show answer
c) v. One v only: lav-ish.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A lavish meal is likely to be ____.
a) cold and stale
b) quick and cheap
c) large and expensive
d) small and plain
Show answer
c) large and expensive
2. To lavish praise on someone is to ____.
a) refuse to praise them
b) praise them a great deal
c) praise them in secret
d) praise them a little
Show answer
b) praise them a great deal
