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

Suntory Global Spirits, which will continue to be led by CEO Greg Hughes, owns high-end whiskey brands like Yamazaki and Hibiki — among the world’s most expensive — as well as the more affordable Jim Beam. —Tiffany Kary, Fortune, 30 Apr. 2024

Cars are getting cheaper but auto insurance is more expensive. —Scott Horsley, NPR, 30 Apr. 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