ostentatious spending

[ˌɑːstənˈteɪʃəs ˈspɛndɪŋ]
noun
consumo ostensivo; gastos extravagantes; despesas exageradas
1. Excessive or conspicuous spending of money intended to impress others and display wealth or status
His ostentatious spending on luxury cars and jewelry alienated him from his old friends.
Seus gastos ostensivos em carros de luxo e joias o afastaram de seus antigos amigos.
2. Wasteful or lavish expenditure done primarily for show rather than genuine need or enjoyment
The billionaire's ostentatious spending on a yacht three times the size of his previous one raised eyebrows.
O consumo ostensivo do bilionário em um iate três vezes maior que o anterior chamou a atenção.
In Brazil, ostentatious spending is culturally visible, especially among the newly wealthy (emergentes), and often reflected in displays of designer brands and luxury items. In the USA, particularly in NYC, this behavior is common among high earners and celebrities, though attitudes toward it vary widely by social circle—some view it as confidence or success, while others see it as poor taste. The phrase reflects broader attitudes about wealth, social class, and the desire for status recognition across both cultures.
NYC Slang
flexing; stunting; ballin'; baller moves; showing out
Synonyms / Sinônimos
conspicuous consumptionextravagant spendinglavish expenditureflamboyant spendingshowy spendingpretentious spending
Antonyms / Antônimos
modest spendingfrugal spendingeconomical spendingrestraintsimplicitydiscretion

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
consumo ostensivo; gastos extravagantes
Standard term used throughout Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
gasto de mostração; despesa de boca grande
More colloquial usage in Rio
São Paulo
consumo conspícuo; gastos suntuários
More formal, business-oriented terminology
Portugal
despesas ostensivas; consumo de luxo exibicionista
Portuguese prefers more formal construction; less common colloquially

Related Words

conspicuous consumptionmaterialismstatus symbolluxury goodsvanityextravagancewealth displaynouveau riche

Related Idioms & Phrases

keeping up with the Joneses
throwing money around
living large
putting on a show
flashing the cash
money to burn
more money than sense
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