Spend Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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spend

[spษ›nd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

money

To use money to buy or pay for something.

Synonyms

expend, lay out, pay.

Examples of usage

  • I spend a lot of money on clothes.
  • She spends all her salary on food.
  • We spent our savings on a new car.
Context #2 | Verb

time

To use time in a specific way.

Synonyms

occupy, pass, use up.

Examples of usage

  • We spent the afternoon at the beach.
  • They spend hours playing video games.
  • She spends her days studying.
Context #3 | Noun

time

The amount of time during which an activity is done or a period is taken.

Synonyms

duration, period, time frame.

Examples of usage

  • The spend on this project was significant.
  • He managed to reduce the spend on administrative costs.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Finance

  • Household spending typically includes essentials like food, housing, transportation, and healthcare.
  • Studies show that emotional spending, or buying things to feel better, can sometimes lead to regret once the feeling passes.
  • The way we spend can impact our savings rate; the more we save, the less we spend on non-essential items.

Culture

  • Many cultures have specific rituals around spending money, such as gift-giving during holidays that reflect values like generosity.
  • In Japan, the concept of 'omiyage' highlights the cultural practice of bringing gifts for family and friends from travel, emphasizing sharing purchases.
  • The phrase 'time is money' reflects the cultural understanding that how we spend our time can equally affect our financial health.

Psychology

  • Research shows individuals tend to derive greater happiness from experiences, like travel or events, rather than material goods.
  • Spending money on others can lead to a boost in emotional well-being, supporting the idea of 'paying it forward'.
  • People often assign different values to 'needs' and 'wants', influencing their spending behavior and financial decision-making.

Economics

  • Consumer spending is a major driver of economic growth, accounting for a significant portion of GDP in developed nations.
  • The concept of 'disposable income' refers to the amount of money left after essentials are paid, highlighting what can be spent freely.
  • During economic downturns, spending tends to decrease, which can lead to further declines in economic activity and employment rates.

Origin of 'spend'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'spend' comes from the Old English 'spendan', which means 'to expend' or 'to waste'.
  • In Middle English, the term evolved to mean to disburse or pay out, especially in the context of money.
  • Its first known use dates back to the 12th century, showing how long the concept has been part of human economics.

The word 'spend' originated from the Old English word 'spendan', which means 'to expend, spend'. It has been used in the English language for centuries to describe the act of using resources, such as money or time, for a specific purpose. Over time, 'spend' has become a common term in everyday language to convey the idea of utilizing resources. The evolution of the word reflects the importance of managing resources efficiently in various aspects of life.


See also: misspend, spender, spending, spendthrift, spent, underspend, underspending, unspent.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,382, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.