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

• big-ticket
• costly
• dear
• extravagant
• high
• high-end
• high-ticket
• precious
• premium
• priceless
• pricey
• pricy
• spendy [chiefly Northwest]
• ultraexpensive
• valuable

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

Any remotely realistic plan for a crewed Mars mission would be far more expensive than MSR, for one thing. —Leonard David, Scientific American, 8 May 2025

And finally, these systems can be expensive, both to purchase upfront and to maintain with specialized technical expertise and custom parts. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 8 May 2025

Many Americans are now turning to innovative platforms with less barriers to borrow money for necessities -- not just emergencies which is a positive trend as traditional options are more expensive. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025

Learning new digital skills doesn’t have to be expensive. —Nono Bokete, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for expensive

• defensive
• extensive
• intensive
• offensive
• ostensive
• prehensive
• suspensive
• antihypertensive
• apprehensive
• coextensive
• comprehensive
• hypertensive

Kids 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