Lavishly
adv.joyful, energeticformal
What it means
In a manner marked by exceptional abundance, generosity, or richness.
Reach for it when modifying how something is decorated, supplied, praised, or presented
The stage was lavishly dressed with foliage grown in the school greenhouse.
Choose between these
6- warm
the action reflects openhanded giving
not when Generously need not imply visual richness or a very large amount.
- professional
elaborately
intricate preparation matters more than quantity
not when Elaborately decorated work may use modest materials.
- formal
abundantly
plenty of something is available
not when Abundantly is neutral about beauty, expense, and social display.
- formal
extravagantly
excess itself is part of the description
not when Extravagantly can condemn poor restraint, unlike approving lavishly.
- literary
depth of color, detail, flavor, or reward is central
not when Richly can describe intensity without the scale suggested by lavishly.
- literary
sumptuously
sensory luxury in food or furnishings is intended
not when Sumptuously does not fit praise, funding, or personal attention.
Said against
3- sparingly
- plainly
- frugally
It naturally appears in
3- lavishly decorated
The hall was lavishly decorated with paper flowers made by residents.
- lavishly illustrated
The field guide is lavishly illustrated with precise watercolor plates.
- lavishly praised
The debut novel was lavishly praised by regional critics.
The word family
1Where this comes from
- merriam-webster, adverb, single sense opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.