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
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
Republicans are much more likely to say gas is very or extremely expensive, at 69 percent, compared to 46 percent of Democrats and 42 percent of independents.
—
Emily Guskin, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Other copies have also sold for record-breaking prices, including one in 2021 that went for $3.25 million and became the most expensive ever comic at the time.
—Issy Ronald, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
In March, the Gucci owner issued a warning that its first-quarter sales would plunge by 10% this year compared with 2023 owing to stalling demand for expensive goods amid high interest rates, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 5 Apr. 2024
Ultimately, the movie was just like super expensive therapy for me.
—Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024
This is an expensive real estate deal and comes at a time when the city, like many other public agencies, is facing a serious budget crunch.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
For many of us, our Sunday best did not mean fancy, expensive outfits.
—Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Caroline Reilly Aerie’s loungewear is also great (and less expensive than Beyond Yoga).
—Caroline Reilly, SELF, 4 Apr. 2024
In the same way, custom wallpaper panels or murals are generally more expensive than off-the-shelf rolls of wallpaper.
—Randy Tucker, The Enquirer, 4 Apr. 2024
Emily Guskin, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Other copies have also sold for record-breaking prices, including one in 2021 that went for $3.25 million and became the most expensive ever comic at the time.
—Issy Ronald, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
In March, the Gucci owner issued a warning that its first-quarter sales would plunge by 10% this year compared with 2023 owing to stalling demand for expensive goods amid high interest rates, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 5 Apr. 2024
Ultimately, the movie was just like super expensive therapy for me.
—Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024
This is an expensive real estate deal and comes at a time when the city, like many other public agencies, is facing a serious budget crunch.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
For many of us, our Sunday best did not mean fancy, expensive outfits.
—Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Caroline Reilly Aerie’s loungewear is also great (and less expensive than Beyond Yoga).
—Caroline Reilly, SELF, 4 Apr. 2024
In the same way, custom wallpaper panels or murals are generally more expensive than off-the-shelf rolls of wallpaper.
—Randy Tucker, The Enquirer, 4 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expensive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near expensive
Cite this Entry
“Expensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expensive. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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