‘挥霍’ is a compound verb meaning to spend or use resources—especially money, time, or energy—in a reckless, wasteful, and extravagant way. The first character 挥 (huī) conveys the sense of waving, flinging, or expending freely, often with force or abandon; the second character 霍 (huò) historically evokes rapid movement or scattering (as in onomatopoeic reduplication like 霍霍), reinforcing the idea of uncontrolled dispersal. Together, they form an expressive, slightly literary term that emphasizes excess and lack of restraint.

This word carries a strong negative connotation and is commonly used in formal writing, news reports, or moral commentary—not casual speech. It frequently appears with objects like 钱 (money), 时间 (time), 精力 (energy), or 资源 (resources). Unlike neutral terms like ‘spend’, 挥霍 implies criticism: the speaker disapproves of the behavior as irresponsible or self-indulgent. It’s rarely used for small or accidental waste; rather, it suggests habitual, conspicuous, or large-scale dissipation.