cheap

adjective

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\ ˈchēp

Definition of cheap

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : charging or obtainable at a low price a good cheap hotel cheap tickets

b : purchasable below the going price or the real value

c : depreciated in value (as by currency inflation) cheap dollars

2a : of inferior quality or worth : tawdry, sleazy cheap workmanship

b : stingy My uncle was too cheap to pay for dinner.

c : contemptible because of lack of any fine, lofty, or redeeming qualities feeling cheap I felt cheap, full of shame and guilt

3 : gained or done with little effort a cheap victory talk is cheap

4 of money : obtainable at a low rate of interest

cheap

adverb

Definition of cheap (Entry 2 of 3)

: for little cost : cheaply was able to buy it cheap "It all seems to centre round that bust of Napoleon which I bought for this very room about four months ago. I picked it up cheap from Harding Brothers, two doors from the High Street Station."— Arthur Conan Doyle

cheap

noun

Definition of cheap (Entry 3 of 3)

obsolete

: bargain

on the cheap

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

Other Words from cheap Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about cheap

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Examples of cheap in a Sentence

Adjective I always buy the cheapest brand of cereal. curtains made of cheap material He wears a cheap watch that's always breaking. This gas station is cheaper than the one by the highway. Don't be cheap—buy good quality tires for your car.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Health coverage is unquestionably an important benefit, and employer coverage is generally cheaper and better than the health plans individuals can find on the open market. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, "Column: Jeff Bezos becomes the first CEO to break his pledge to dump the ‘shareholder value’ model," 16 Sep. 2019 Some people are substituting cheap and dangerous street drugs for the real thing. — baltimoresun.com, "Investigation finds spiked CBD being sold in Maryland; illegal drugs show dark side of vape craze," 16 Sep. 2019 The cheapest are 402-square-foot studios for $1,750 a month, and prices can reach as high as $3,254 a month for a two-bedroom unit. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Historic Spreckels Building begins leasing after more than 5 years of construction," 14 Sep. 2019 The ‘guys stop arguing’ line: One of the cheapest attempted applause lines at this debates is when candidates complain about their opponents arguing too much. — Aaron Blake, Anchorage Daily News, "Analysis: Winners and losers in the third Democratic debate," 13 Sep. 2019 Consumer Score: 88% give it 4 stars or higher More of a diffuser than humidifier, the Urpower is the cheapest, easiest way to add some aromatherapy to your home. — Paige Szmodis, Popular Mechanics, "Breathe Easier With One of These 8 Best Humidifiers," 13 Sep. 2019 Luckily, replacement bulbs are easy to come by and cheap! — Country Living, "Here's Exactly How to Fix Christmas Lights," 13 Sep. 2019 Home viewing is cheap and convenient, tough barriers for companies still committed to the theatrical experience, as many independent and art-film distributors are. — Manohla Dargis, New York Times, "Onscreen in Toronto: Reasons for Hope at the Movies This Fall," 13 Sep. 2019 But one is $4 cheaper and comes delivered to your table with a legit ice cream sundae. — oregonlive, "These are top 5 Portland-area Dairy Queen locations, according to readers," 12 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cheap.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.