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
Naples and Palm Beach County are among the most expensive areas.
—
Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
This demonstrates that the precious metal-free and therefore highly scalable electrode technology is more efficient than the significantly more complex solutions based on expensive and critical precious metals, as per the release.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
Don’t be fooled by their jaw-dropping price, the bottoms deliver an expensive look thanks to their dark wash and classic cut.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Together, those trends make caring for rural residents more expensive than providing the same services in urban areas, and experts are skeptical that even a large one-time investment can move the rural health system out of a pattern of struggling.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expensive
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Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
This demonstrates that the precious metal-free and therefore highly scalable electrode technology is more efficient than the significantly more complex solutions based on expensive and critical precious metals, as per the release.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
Don’t be fooled by their jaw-dropping price, the bottoms deliver an expensive look thanks to their dark wash and classic cut.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Together, those trends make caring for rural residents more expensive than providing the same services in urban areas, and experts are skeptical that even a large one-time investment can move the rural health system out of a pattern of struggling.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 11 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 17 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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