American English

How to pronounce spend

verbB1Very common word

SPEHND

/spɛnd̚/

One syllable.

to use money to buy or pay for something

Meanings & examples

verb

to use money to buy or pay for something

I spent $40 on dinner.

She spends too much money on clothes.

Common phrases & grammar

spend money · spend a fortune · spend less · spend more

spend + money + on + noun

spend + amount + on + noun

verb

to use time, energy, or effort for a particular activity or purpose

We spent the afternoon walking around town.

He spends a lot of time with his children.

Common phrases & grammar

spend time · spend the day · spend energy · spend effort

spend + time + doing something

spend + time + with + person

to stay somewhere overnight

We spent the night at a small hotel.

to use time for an activity

She spends time reading every morning.

The past and past participle are spent, not spended.