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
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
The Sharks are part of his portfolio and a new arena surrounded by an entertainment district might be the goal, but the team is not just an investment for him or an expensive bauble.
—
Eric Stephens, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
The 36-year-old explained that her in-laws returned from a European trip and surprised her with an expensive designer bag at a recent family dinner.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
For stocks to look less expensive, either their prices need to fall, or companies’ profits need to rise.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
But almost from its start, industry has targeted the program, whose assessments can trigger toxic waste cleanups and expensive regulatory changes.
—Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expensive
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Eric Stephens, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
The 36-year-old explained that her in-laws returned from a European trip and surprised her with an expensive designer bag at a recent family dinner.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
For stocks to look less expensive, either their prices need to fall, or companies’ profits need to rise.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
But almost from its start, industry has targeted the program, whose assessments can trigger toxic waste cleanups and expensive regulatory changes.
—Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expensive
Cite this Entry
“Expensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expensive. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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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