Spend Meaning
Spend Definition & Usage
To use up (resources, time, or energy) for a particular purpose.
Examples
- "I spent all my savings on a new car."
- "She spends an hour each day jogging."
- "We spent the entire evening at the restaurant."
- "He spends too much time playing video games."
- "The government plans to spend billions on healthcare reform."
To pay money for goods or services.
Examples
- "He spent $50 on groceries today."
- "We spent a fortune on our vacation last year."
- "She spends wisely and saves a lot of money."
- "I can't believe you spent all your money on clothes."
- "The company plans to spend heavily on marketing next quarter."
To devote time to a particular activity or event.
Examples
- "We spent the afternoon at the museum."
- "He spent the whole weekend with his family."
- "I spent my holiday reading books and relaxing."
- "She spent a lot of time thinking about her future."
- "I want to spend my birthday in Paris this year."
To waste or squander something (often used negatively).
Examples
- "She spent all her energy on that project and still failed."
- "He has spent years chasing the wrong dreams."
- "They spent their youth worrying about things that didn't matter."
- "Don't spend your time on things that won't help you grow."
- "I can't afford to spend another day in bed."
Cultural Context
The word 'spend' has been in use for many centuries, evolving from Old English 'spendan' and ultimately tracing back to Latin. It has a broad range of applications from everyday financial transactions to metaphorical expressions related to time or energy.
The Price of Time and Money
Story
The Price of Time and Money
Jenny had always been cautious with her finances. Her father had taught her the importance of saving, so when she decided to buy her first car, she had saved enough money to pay in full. However, today was different. She found herself standing in front of a boutique, admiring a beautiful handbag. It was overpriced, but she had the money, and she was tired of being so careful all the time. She took out her wallet and spent $300 without a second thought. As she walked out of the store, a feeling of guilt started creeping in. Did she really need it? The next day, Jenny spent hours working on a project for her boss. She had to finish it by the end of the week, and although the deadline was stressful, she enjoyed the challenge. But as the hours passed, she couldn't help but think about the handbag. Had she spent too much money on it? Or was it okay to spend a little on something that made her happy? That evening, Jenny sat down with her best friend, Maya, who had a different perspective. Maya was a free spirit, always spending her time doing what she loved, whether it was hiking, painting, or just being with people. 'You can't take it with you,' she said, 'money, time, energy—it's all meant to be spent. But don't waste it.' The conversation made Jenny reflect. Maybe spending time with friends or on activities she loved was just as important as how she spent her money. By the end of the evening, she realized that it wasn't just about how she spent, but what she spent it on. The story demonstrated multiple meanings of the word 'spend'—from financial expenditure to time spent in meaningful ways. Jenny's reflections illustrate the cultural and personal dimensions of how we allocate our resources, whether it's money, time, or energy.