Dispendioso

Dispendioso is an adjective used in Spanish and Portuguese to describe something that involves a large expenditure of money, time, or other resources; it translates roughly as costly or expensive. The term can also carry a nuance of wastefulness or inefficiency, signaling that resources are consumed beyond proportional benefit.

It applies to expenses, investments, projects, or processes that require substantial resource allocation. In Spanish, examples include “un gasto dispendioso” (a costly expense) and “un proyecto dispendioso” (a costly project). In Portuguese, there is a cognate with a similar meaning, used in related contexts to indicate high resource consumption.

Etymology: The adjective derives from the noun dispendio, meaning expenditure or wasteful use of resources, with the adjectival suffix -oso forming “dispendioso.” The sense emphasizes the burden of cost rather than the price alone.

Nuance and usage notes: “Dispendioso” is often chosen over “costoso” when the emphasis is on excessive or inefficient resource consumption relative to benefits. It may carry a negative connotation in budgeting, policy, or planning discussions. Related terms include costoso (expensive) and oneroso (burdensome).

See also: dispendio; costoso; oneroso.