- 1[transitive, intransitive] to give money to pay for goods, services, etc. spend something I've spent all my money already. spend something on something/on doing something She spent $100 on a new dress. spend (something doing something) The company has spent thousands of dollars updating their computer systems. I just can't seem to stop spending.
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- 2[transitive] to use time for a particular purpose; to pass time spend something + adv./prep. We spent the weekend in Paris. How do you spend your spare time? Her childhood was spent in Italy. spend something on something How long did you spend on your homework? spend something doing something I spend too much time watching television. I've spent years trying to learn Japanese. spend something in doing something Most of her life was spent in caring for others.
- 3[transitive, often passive] to use energy, effort, etc., especially until it has all been used spend something on something She spends too much effort on things that don't matter. spend itself The storm had finally spent itself. see spent Idioms
- 1to stay with someone for a night My daughter's spending the night with a friend.
- 2(also spend the night together) to stay with someone for a night and have sex with them
verb jump to other results
NAmE//spɛnd//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they spend he / she / it spends
past simple spent
-ing form spending
Check pronunciation: spend