cheap

¹cheap

noun \ˈchēp\

Definition of CHEAP

obsolete

:  bargain

— on the cheap

:  at minimum expense :  cheaply <did the job on the cheap>

Origin of CHEAP

Middle English chep, from Old English cēap trade; akin to Old High German kouf trade; both ultimately from Latin caupo tradesman

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with CHEAP

beep, bleep, cheep, creep, deep, heap, jeep, Jeep, keep, leap, neap, neep, peep, reap, seep, sheep, sleep, steep, sweep, threap, veep, weep

²cheap

adjective

: not costing a lot of money

: of low quality : not worth a lot of money

: charging low prices

Full 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

Other Economics Terms

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