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
Feinsand and Olney specifically mentioned some of the team's most expensive players, including first baseman Rafael Devers, shortstop Willy Adames and third baseman Matt Chapman, among those the Giants are looking to deal.
—
Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
The proposal already triggered a fierce debate, accentuating the divide between the rich and poor in a state that’s expensive to live in.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
The California Chamber of Commerce, a business trade group behind the measure, argues the state’s system of approving certain developments is too slow, too muddied up by regulation and too expensive and that the initiative is the fix needed.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
Marvin windows are expensive, and there are limited options for cheaper entry-level vinyl windows.
—Alora Bopray, USA Today, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for expensive
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Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
The proposal already triggered a fierce debate, accentuating the divide between the rich and poor in a state that’s expensive to live in.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
The California Chamber of Commerce, a business trade group behind the measure, argues the state’s system of approving certain developments is too slow, too muddied up by regulation and too expensive and that the initiative is the fix needed.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
Marvin windows are expensive, and there are limited options for cheaper entry-level vinyl windows.
—Alora Bopray, USA Today, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for expensive
Cite this Entry
“Expensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expensive. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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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