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

That's another byproduct of the new CBA, which contains harsh penalties for teams with expensive payrolls. —Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024

Throughout Michigan, the most expensive areas on Sunday were: Jackson, $3.37 a gallon; Ann Arbor, $3.34 and Marquette, $3.33; and the least, in Grand Rapids, $3.06; Benton Harbor, $3.10 and Flint, $3.18. —Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 10 Sep. 2024

With a price point of $699.99 in North America, the PS5 Pro is nearly $200 more expensive than the existing model. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2024

The Entertainment package is the least expensive and offers ABC in certain areas in addition to more than 90 other channels. —Claire Franken, TVLine, 10 Sep. 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