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
Cushionaire Platform Ankle Boots These platform ankle boots look shockingly similar to more expensive pairs, but won’t annihilate your holiday gift budget — or your feet on long travel days.
—
Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025
While vintage denim can be expensive, items offered at Junkyard Jeans encompass a range of prices.
—Idaho Statesman, 20 Dec. 2025
The highest volume EVs, such as the Model Y, are also less expensive than the Air, which starts just above $70,000 and runs up to about a quarter of a million dollars.
—Robert Ferris, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025
What the Kremlin may be cognizant of, experts say, is concerns about a large group of war veterans re-entering society – without jobs and many with expensive medical needs – if a peace agreement is reached.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expensive
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Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025
While vintage denim can be expensive, items offered at Junkyard Jeans encompass a range of prices.
—Idaho Statesman, 20 Dec. 2025
The highest volume EVs, such as the Model Y, are also less expensive than the Air, which starts just above $70,000 and runs up to about a quarter of a million dollars.
—Robert Ferris, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025
What the Kremlin may be cognizant of, experts say, is concerns about a large group of war veterans re-entering society – without jobs and many with expensive medical needs – if a peace agreement is reached.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 20 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 27 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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