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
Matt Villano, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
At the same time, sellers have been reluctant to give up bargain-basement mortgage rates obtained before the Federal Reserve started raising borrowing costs in the winter of 2022 to control inflation.
—Jeff Collins, Orange County Register, 9 Oct. 2024
Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
With hefty spending on TV ads as well across Facebook, the company promoted clothing, jewelry, home goods and electronics at bargain basement prices.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bargain-basement
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Adjective
In response to recent slowdowns in overall visitation to the city, many overnight and day-trip destinations have rolled out bargain-basement deals on accommodations, parking, admissions and more.
—Matt Villano, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
At the same time, sellers have been reluctant to give up bargain-basement mortgage rates obtained before the Federal Reserve started raising borrowing costs in the winter of 2022 to control inflation.
—Jeff Collins, Orange County Register, 9 Oct. 2024
Noun
Suddenly, that knockoff goes from bargain basement brilliance to mind-bending budget buster.
—Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
With hefty spending on TV ads as well across Facebook, the company promoted clothing, jewelry, home goods and electronics at bargain basement prices.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 16 Apr. 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 3 Jul. 2025.
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