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 of expensive

• costly
• valuable
• premium
• precious
• extravagant

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

In its stock two-battery setup, the e-scoot offers up to 71 miles (115 km) of range, while the more expensive three-battery configuration offers a 106-mile range (170 km). —New Atlas, 15 Nov. 2025

Díaz would be an expensive option. —Patrick McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025

While the more expensive travel credit cards typically have high credit score requirements, the Southwest Debit Card doesn’t require a credit check. —Ryley Amond, CNBC, 15 Nov. 2025

However, deep mining is extremely expensive. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 15 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

expense entry 1 + -ive

First Known Use

circa 1617, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for expensive

• defensive
• extensive
• intensive
• offensive
• ostensive
• prehensive
• suspensive
• antihypertensive
• apprehensive
• coextensive
• comprehensive
• hypertensive

Kids 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