conspicuous consumption
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.31 in modern English
34
Scrabble Score
22
Letters
7
Syllables
9
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A public display of acquisition of possessions with the intention of gaining social prestige; excessive consumerism in order to flaunt one's purchasing power.
Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "Conspicuous consumption of valuable goods is a means of reputability to the gentleman of leisure."
- ""Conspicuous consumption" is a proof of economic success."
- "Professional humanists . . . resent Veblen's saying that knowing an ancient language is conspicuous consumption and conspicuous waste, like growing your fingernails long and painting them, or keeping a Pekingese."
- "As a society becomes richer, those whose incomes do not grow spend more on conspicuous consumption in an attempt to keep up."
- "Greek artist Akylas' song "Ferto," or "Bring It," provides a playful take on conspicuous consumption in a country still scarred by the economic wounds of the 2008 financial crisis."