cheap

²cheap

adj

Definition of CHEAP

1

a : purchasable below the going price or the real value b : charging or obtainable at a low price <a good cheap hotel> <cheap tickets> c : depreciated in value (as by currency inflation) <cheap dollars>

2

: gained or done with little effort <a cheap victory> <talk is cheap>

3

a : of inferior quality or worth : tawdry, sleazy <cheap workmanship> b : contemptible because of lack of any fine, lofty, or redeeming qualities <feeling cheap> c : stingy <my cheap uncle>

4

of money : obtainable at a low rate of interest

— cheap adverb

— cheap·ish \ˈchē-pish\ adjective

— cheap·ish·ly adverb

— cheap·ly \ˈchē-plē\ adverb

— cheap·ness noun

Examples of CHEAP

1. I always buy the cheapest brand of cereal.
2. curtains made of cheap material
3. He wears a cheap watch that's always breaking.
4. This gas station is cheaper than the one by the highway.
5. Don't be cheap—buy good quality tires for your car.

First Known Use of CHEAP

1509

Related to CHEAP

Synonyms: affordable, bargain-basement, budget, cheapie, cheapo, chintzy, cut-price [chiefly British], cut-rate, dime-store, dirt cheap, el cheapo, inexpensive, low, low-end, popular, reasonable

Antonyms: costly, dear, deluxe, expensive, high, high-ticket, precious, premium, pricey (also pricy), spendy [chiefly Northwest], valuable

Related Words: cheapish, moderate; discount, discounted, fire-sale, lowered, reduced; wholesale; valueless, worthless; supercheap, ultracheap

Near Antonyms: increased, inflated; exorbitant, extravagant, overpriced, prohibitive, prohibitory, steep, stiff, superexpensive, ultraexpensive, unreasonable; invaluable, priceless; luxurious

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer