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

• costly
• valuable
• premium
• precious
• extravagant

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

Booking travel is expensive these days, from the cost of trains or planes to paying for your luggage, lodgings and more. —Ryley Amond, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2025

Indeed, despite the trillions of federal dollars that were committed or spent to boost local economies, voters blamed Biden and Harris for high inflation that raised the cost living as food, housing, healthcare and other necessities got more expensive. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025

And what was considered expensive has drastically changed over the last 10 years. —Maddie McGay, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025

Get ready for your kids’ lunches to get more expensive too. —Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 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