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 of expensive

• 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

New York, expensive for artists then, is nearly impossible now; the Soho blocks where My Dinner With André opens no longer hint at a struggling artist’s life. —Christopher Bonanos, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026

The battery pack of an EV is not only its most expensive component but also one of its heaviest. —Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026

As these imaging tests are often complex and expensive, the research team wanted to explore whether a blood test could monitor the same proteins and produce similar results. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026

Don’t be fooled by their jaw-dropping price, the pants deliver an expensive air regardless of how they’re styled. —Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

expense entry 1 + -ive

First Known Use

circa 1617, 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