splurge
/splɜːrdʒ/
Very CommonSpending noticeably more than usual on something, usually as a deliberate treat rather than a mistake.
Splurge implies awareness and some level of guilt or self-justification. It sits between normal spending and reckless spending. People often explain a splurge rather than just mentioning it.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | finally splurged on the good coffee maker and i cannot go back | They spent more than usual and now it feels worth it. | x, 2024 |
| 02 | birthday splurge hits different when you actually deserve it | Spending on yourself for a birthday feels earned. | instagram, 2023 |
| 03 | ok i splurged on the hotel upgrade and it was 100% worth it | The extra expense delivered enough value to justify it. | reddit, 2024 |
| 04 | told myself i wouldn't splurge but the steak was right there | Intended to be frugal but caved on an expensive option. | x, 2023 |
Use it when
- Describing a deliberate big purchase you do not normally make.
- Justifying an expensive choice as a treat or celebration.
- Talking about spending more than your usual budget on something.
Do not use it when
- You mean reckless or unplanned spending with no justification.Use “emotional-spending” instead.
- You mean everyday normal spending.
Splurge vs treat yourself
splurge
Splurge focuses on the act of spending more than usual.
VS
treat-yourself
Treat yourself is about giving yourself something nice, spending size optional.
Origin and context
English word used since the early 20th century meaning to spend extravagantly. Became a staple of casual spending conversation online.
- First seen
- pre-2000s
- Confidence
- high
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Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/splurgeUpdated: 2026-08-28License: CC BY 4.0