bar·gain-base·ment
ˈbär-gən-ˈbās-mənt 
1
: of inferior quality or worth
2
: markedly inexpensive
bargain-basement rates
: a section of a store (such as the basement) where merchandise is sold at reduced prices
Examples of bargain-basement in a Sentence
Adjective
throughout the trip we ate at bargain-basement restaurants in order to save money
bargain-basement shoes that fell apart after a week
Recent Examples on the Web
New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2025
Companies such as Shein and Temu have had a meteoric rise in the past five years, appealing to Western customers with a huge offering at bargain-basement prices.
—Olivia Pinnock, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2025
The special effects are bargain basement.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bargain-basement
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Adjective
Not too long ago, Western markets were subtly dismissing Chinese cars for coming off as bargain-basement alternatives.
—New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2025
Companies such as Shein and Temu have had a meteoric rise in the past five years, appealing to Western customers with a huge offering at bargain-basement prices.
—Olivia Pinnock, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
Just over 20,000 apartments are covered by rent control, which only applies to tenants who have lived in the same apartment since 1971 and typically come with bargain basement rents.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2025
The special effects are bargain basement.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bargain-basement
Cite this Entry
“Bargain-basement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bargain-basement. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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