expensive
adjective
ex·pen·sive
ik-ˈspen(t)-siv 
1
: involving high cost or sacrifice
an expensive hobby
2
a
: commanding a high price and especially one that is not based on intrinsic worth or is beyond a prospective buyer's means
b
: characterized by high prices
expensive shops
expensively
adverb
expensiveness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of expensive in a Sentence
The lights were expensive to install.
expensive clothing that only the truly wealthy can afford
Recent Examples on the Web
The board has determined the drugs are not only expensive for insurers to cover but also result in higher out-of-pocket costs for patients.
—
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2024
However, Kim said some of the biggest stocks aren’t actually that expensive when considering their growth prospects, and that technology lately has lagged behind the rest of the market.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2024
Read on to find out the most expensive ZIP codes in New Jersey in 2024.
—Andrew Depietro, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Considering Arkham Shadow is the most expensive Meta game to date at US$70, that might offer you some consolation for the $300 Quest 3S or the $500 Quest 3 price.
—New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for expensive 
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2024
However, Kim said some of the biggest stocks aren’t actually that expensive when considering their growth prospects, and that technology lately has lagged behind the rest of the market.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2024
Read on to find out the most expensive ZIP codes in New Jersey in 2024.
—Andrew Depietro, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Considering Arkham Shadow is the most expensive Meta game to date at US$70, that might offer you some consolation for the $300 Quest 3S or the $500 Quest 3 price.
—New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for expensive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expensive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near expensive
Cite this Entry
“Expensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expensive. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
expensive
adjective
ex·pen·sive
ik-ˈspen(t)-siv
1
: costly sense 2
an expensive hobby
2
a
: having a high price
expensive gifts
b
: marked by high prices
expensive shops
expensively
adverb
expensiveness
noun
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