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

• big-ticket
• costly
• dear
• extravagant
• high
• high-end
• high-ticket
• precious
• premium
• priceless
• pricey
• pricy
• spendy [chiefly Northwest]
• ultraexpensive
• valuable

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

Dennis Card, the attorney representing Ver Ver, accused Kingston and his mother of working together to fraudulently obtain expensive items by projecting a false image of wealth. —Melissa Noel, Essence, 24 May 2024

For a less expensive water bottle, consider the Hydro Cell Stainless Steel Water Bottle, which has impressively earned 43,000 5-star ratings on Amazon. —Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 24 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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