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

• big-ticket
• costly
• dear
• extravagant
• high
• high-end
• high-ticket
• precious
• premium
• priceless
• pricey
• pricy
• spendy [chiefly Northwest]
• ultraexpensive
• valuable

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

Under the innovative deal, led by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Barbados replaced some of its most expensive sovereign debt with a lower cost loan. —Amy Feldman, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

For several reasons, peak electricity is more expensive for OUC to generate than off-peak electricity. —Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Dec. 2024

The cost was rumored to be around $1.5 billion, making Atlantis The Royal one of the most expensive hotels ever built. —Joe Niehaus, Travel + Leisure, 9 Dec. 2024

But having the heater on most of the day can equal an expensive electrical bill. —Lauren David, Southern Living, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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