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
But such policies are expensive and often complex to claim against – securing a pay-out may take months or even years.
—
David Prosser, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The unresolved warnings span some of California's most expensive and urgent problems, including unemployment fraud, homelessness spending oversight, public safety funding accountability, wildfire risk, and drinking water safety, just to name a few.
—Julie Watts, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Anti-SLAPP laws are generally used to prevent people from using expensive defamation suits to target or punish others for their speech.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026
Leaders compelled members to participate in expensive rituals, make lavish donations, and provide the Church with free labor.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expensive
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David Prosser, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The unresolved warnings span some of California's most expensive and urgent problems, including unemployment fraud, homelessness spending oversight, public safety funding accountability, wildfire risk, and drinking water safety, just to name a few.
—Julie Watts, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Anti-SLAPP laws are generally used to prevent people from using expensive defamation suits to target or punish others for their speech.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026
Leaders compelled members to participate in expensive rituals, make lavish donations, and provide the Church with free labor.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 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 28 Jan. 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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