expensive

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

|Updated on: 22 Jun 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

—

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

Still, builders are concerned that tariffs announced by President Donald Trump that could affect steel, aluminum and lumber would make construction much more expensive, possibly limiting how many properties are built.

— josh boak, USA TODAY, "US housing starts jumped 5 percent in May off pop in Midwest building," 19 June 2018
The board also voted to charge lower rates on weekends, making the prices less expensive than the weekday rates at nearly every station.

— adam vaccaro, BostonGlobe.com, "Parking prices will go up at 32 T stations, to as high as $10 a day — but drop at others," 18 June 2018
There was one bid for the Medicaid contract that was more expensive than McKinsey’s.

— jason hancock, kansascity, "Democrats say Parson should fire his COO, cancel contract that is a ‘shady deal’," 18 June 2018
Some of the main theories for the attendance decline include less competitive teams, more expensive ticket prices, the surge of strikeouts that limits balls in play, the length of games and that baseball doesn’t have as many popular players.

— bobby nightengale, Cincinnati.com, "Reds Xtra: Players share ideas on why baseball is seeing a big decline in attendance," 16 June 2018
China's reciprocal tariffs make U.S. goods more expensive for Chinese consumers, hurting the many businesses trying their luck in the world's largest market.

— CBS News, "Trump launches $50 billion in tariffs on China, risking trade war," 15 June 2018
Airport car rentals are almost always more expensive than off-airport locations.

— christopher elliott, miamiherald, "This Budget rental is on the wrong side of the island," 14 June 2018
Tickets are more expensive for this show, starting at $50.

— meredith carey, Condé Nast Traveler, "Where to See the Next Big Musicals Before They Hit Broadway," 14 June 2018
That makes San Francisco, at least in the short term, a more expensive place to employ people.

— wendy lee, San Francisco Chronicle, "Employment tax in Silicon Valley city could spur small firms to move jobs," 13 June 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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See words that rhyme with expensive Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for expensive Spanish Central: Translation of expensive Nglish: Translation of expensive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of expensive for Arabic speakers

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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

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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