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
For Qatar, which exports around a fifth of global LNG supply, a Hormuz workaround would entail not only building an expensive pipeline infrastructure but also investing in liquefaction facilities at ports to turn pipeline gas into LNG to be shipped around the world.
—
Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
But Texas had the country's most expensive roster in 2025, including one of the most hyped, and expensive, quarterbacks in decades, and went 9-3 and missed the playoffs.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
With more than $315 million in ad spending and reservations, the race is already the most expensive governor’s race on record in any state, according to an analysis conducted by the media tracking firm AdImpact.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
This affordable drone shares many of the features and settings that its more expensive and advanced quadcopter counterparts.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for expensive
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Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
But Texas had the country's most expensive roster in 2025, including one of the most hyped, and expensive, quarterbacks in decades, and went 9-3 and missed the playoffs.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
With more than $315 million in ad spending and reservations, the race is already the most expensive governor’s race on record in any state, according to an analysis conducted by the media tracking firm AdImpact.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
This affordable drone shares many of the features and settings that its more expensive and advanced quadcopter counterparts.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 3 June 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 8 Jun. 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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