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
The United States is one of the most expensive countries for higher education.
—
Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2025
However, gas prices are now more expensive than when gas was $3.127 per gallon a month ago.
—Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Feb. 2025
To put that in perspective, his house would be more expensive than the biggest contract the White Sox have ever given out.
—Jon Greenberg, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
The Seeds of Love (1989) Tears For Fears took four years and spent over a million pounds (equivalent to roughly $4 million U.S. dollars in 2025) to record The Seeds of Love, a quirky and expensive follow up to a blockbuster in the tradition of Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expensive
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Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2025
However, gas prices are now more expensive than when gas was $3.127 per gallon a month ago.
—Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Feb. 2025
To put that in perspective, his house would be more expensive than the biggest contract the White Sox have ever given out.
—Jon Greenberg, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
The Seeds of Love (1989) Tears For Fears took four years and spent over a million pounds (equivalent to roughly $4 million U.S. dollars in 2025) to record The Seeds of Love, a quirky and expensive follow up to a blockbuster in the tradition of Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 25 Feb. 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 1 Mar. 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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