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
What happens next European countries will start to take on more of the cost of defense and are already increasing their spending on rearmament but also face a major challenge to support expensive welfare states, high debt levels and growing popular disaffection.
—
Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025
These materials could also reduce construction costs, avoiding the need for expensive polymers just to withstand local traffic and weather conditions.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 6 Dec. 2025
National crime trend Police said these expensive coat robberies have happened across the country.
—CBS News, 6 Dec. 2025
Today, the country takes the crown not for being a leader in atomic energy, but for being the most expensive place in the world to build nuclear projects.
—Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expensive
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Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025
These materials could also reduce construction costs, avoiding the need for expensive polymers just to withstand local traffic and weather conditions.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 6 Dec. 2025
National crime trend Police said these expensive coat robberies have happened across the country.
—CBS News, 6 Dec. 2025
Today, the country takes the crown not for being a leader in atomic energy, but for being the most expensive place in the world to build nuclear projects.
—Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 6 Dec. 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 8 Dec. 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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