conspicuous consumption

noun

1. public enjoyment of possessions that are known to be costly so that one's ability to pay for such things is flaunted.

conspicuous consumption

noun

1. spending in a lavish or ostentatious way, esp to impress others with one's wealth

conspicuous consumption

1. Buying unnecessary and expensive products and services as a way to show off wealth. The term was coined by U.S. economist Thorstein Veblen in The Theory of the Leisure Class .

Word History and Origins

Origin of conspicuous consumption¹

Used by Thorstein Veblen in The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899)

Example Sentences

“The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” adds a novel ingredient — Mormonism — to the usual pettiness, plastic surgery and conspicuous consumption.

From Los Angeles Times

Vance’s critique of conspicuous consumption among the poor is something everyone should consider.

From Los Angeles Times

Wine, once the height of boomer culture and conspicuous consumption, has lost its cool among young, more frugal and health-conscious potential customers, many of whom prefer cannabis over Cabernet, experts say.

From Los Angeles Times

The reaction has been decidedly mixed, with some commenters expressing annoyance with the conspicuous consumption on display and suggesting that they may be suffering from influencer fatigue, a weariness with content that has become the stuff of social media cliché.

From New York Times

“The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” adds a novel ingredient — Mormonism — to the usual pettiness, plastic surgery and conspicuous consumption.

From Los Angeles Times