expensive

adjective ex·pen·sive \ ik-ˈspen(t)-siv \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Definition of expensive

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

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expensively

adverb

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expensiveness

noun

See expensive defined for English-language learners

See expensive defined for kids

Examples of expensive in a Sentence

The lights were expensive to install.
expensive clothing that only the truly wealthy can afford

Recent Examples of expensive from the Web

The state’s largest hospitals can bypass the state system by going through a much more expensive process of getting accredited by the federal government or a private third party.

— jason hancock, kansascity, "Hospitals fear Parson budget cut could endanger stroke, heart attack, trauma patients," 13 July 2018
New and used cars and medical care have also become more expensive.

— christopher rugaber, Fox News, "US inflation reaches 2.9 percent in June, highest in 6 years," 13 July 2018
Those gains have pressured commodity prices, which are denominated in the U.S. currency and become more expensive to foreign buyers when the dollar rises.

— ira iosebashvili, WSJ, "Gold Prices Fall as the Dollar’s Gains Pressure Commodities," 13 July 2018
Another product, SimplySafe, costs just $470 for hardware, but more expensive monitoring takes the full cost to $1,970.

— diane cowen, San Antonio Express-News, "Home security is more affordable — and better —than ever," 12 July 2018
The Model 3, billed as a more affordable car with a starting price of $35,000, is currently delivered only in more expensive versions.

— Fortune, "Tesla Buyers Hear Clock Ticking as $7,500 Credit Phases Out," 12 July 2018
The same study found that the number nine is such a powerful sales motivator that clothing priced at $39 sold 24% more than the same clothing priced at $35, even though the price was $4 more expensive.

— adam snitzer, miamiherald, "Why 9 is my favorite number," 12 July 2018
July 6) AP Breathing might get more expensive if the U.S.-China trade dispute continues to escalate.

— nathan bomey, USA TODAY, "Taxing oxygen? It could happen. President Trump threatens wide-ranging tariffs on China," 11 July 2018
People waiting in line who want to buy one of the more expensive versions of the Model 3 will still have priority over people who don’t have a reservation.

— david r. baker, SFChronicle.com, "Tesla lets more people order Model 3s, faster," 10 July 2018

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

First Known Use of expensive

circa 1610

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

expensive Synonyms

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

EXPENSIVE Defined for English Language Learners

expensive

adjective

Definition of expensive for English Language Learners

: costing a lot of money

EXPENSIVE Defined for Kids

expensive

adjective ex·pen·sive \ ik-ˈspen-siv \

Definition of expensive for Students

: costly 1

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expensive

Definition of expensive

expensively

expensiveness

Examples of expensive in a Sentence

Recent Examples of expensive from the Web

First Known Use of expensive

expensive Synonyms

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Other Economics Terms

EXPENSIVE Defined for English Language Learners

expensive

Definition of expensive for English Language Learners

EXPENSIVE Defined for Kids

expensive

Definition of expensive for Students

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