Cheap: meaning, definitions and examples

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cheap

[tʃiːp ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

price

Low in price; worth more than its cost.

Synonyms

affordable, economical, inexpensive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cheap	Typically used to describe something low in cost but often implies poor quality. Can have a negative connotation. The shirt was very cheap, but it fell apart after one wash. He bought a cheap phone and it broke within a week.
inexpensive	Used in a more neutral way to describe something that does not cost a lot of money without implying low quality. The meal at the restaurant was surprisingly inexpensive. They bought inexpensive decorations for the party.
affordable	Used to describe something reasonably priced that offers good value for the cost. Neutral to positive connotation. The store has a wide range of affordable clothes. They found an affordable apartment in a nice neighborhood.
economical	Used to describe something that saves money in the long run or offers good value for the price. Often used for items that are cost-effective and efficient. This car is very economical; it gets great mileage. Using public transport is more economical than driving every day.

Examples of usage

It's a cheap hotel, but at least it's clean.
She bought a cheap pair of sunglasses at the market.
He's always looking for a cheap deal on electronics.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

quality

Of poor quality; inferior.

Synonyms

inferior, low-quality, substandard.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cheap	Used to describe something that costs little money. It can have a negative connotation when referring to quality. This shirt was cheap, but it fell apart after one wash The hotel was cheap, but it wasn't clean
inferior	Used to describe something that has low quality compared to others, often implying it is not as good. These shoes are inferior to the brand-name ones The new product was inferior and didn't sell well
substandard	Used to describe something that does not meet the usual standards or requirements and is often officially unacceptable. The building was closed due to substandard safety conditions The workers were using substandard equipment, which posed a risk
low-quality	Used to directly state that something is of poor quality, without necessarily comparing it to other items. The low-quality fabric ripped easily The company received complaints about the low-quality materials they used

Examples of usage

I don't recommend buying that cheap knockoff, it will break easily.
The material of this shirt feels cheap and uncomfortable.

^{Context #3 | Adverb}

informal

Inexpensively; at a low cost.

Synonyms

affordably, economically, inexpensively.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cheap	Used to describe something that costs little money, often implying lower quality. Can sometimes have a negative connotation. The shirt was cheap, but it fell apart after just one wash Some people prefer to buy cheap groceries to save money
inexpensively	Used to describe something that can be obtained or done at a low cost without a strong implication about its quality. She managed to decorate her house quite inexpensively They found an inexpensively priced restaurant for lunch
economically	Used to describe something that is efficient and cost-effective, often in relation to overall expenses or resource usage. It is more economically viable to buy in bulk The car runs economically and saves on fuel consumption
affordably	Used to describe something that is reasonably priced and within most people's budget. Often used in marketing to highlight good value for money. The event was affordably priced, making it accessible to everyone They are looking for affordably priced homes in the neighborhood

Examples of usage

She always dresses cheap, but somehow manages to look stylish.
He got the job done cheap and quick.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Old English 'ceap', which means 'a bargain' or 'trade'.
In the 14th century, it began to refer to low prices, linking it to the idea of being easily obtained.
The word has lived through various forms in Middle English and essentially kept its meaning tied to affordability.

Economics

The concept of 'cheap' often relates to supply and demand; when there is plenty of a product, prices tend to be lower.
Products described as cheap may raise concerns about their quality, leading to discussions about value versus cost.
In consumer behavior, the perception of a product as cheap can influence people's purchasing decisions, sometimes more than higher-priced alternatives.

Cultural Perspectives

In some cultures, purchasing cheap items is celebrated as being thrifty, while in others, it may be viewed negatively as a sign of poor taste.
The growing popularity of discount stores and thrift shops reflects a shift towards valuing affordability in modern consumer culture.
Social media often sees trends related to 'cheap' living, where people share tips on how to save money without sacrificing lifestyle.

Literature & Film

In many narratives, characters who pursue cheap options often find themselves in humorous or regrettable situations.
The phrase 'cheap thrills' is used widely in pop culture, referring to low-cost forms of entertainment that bring joy.
Classic literature often critiques characters’ obsession with cheapness, portraying them as miserly or lacking in appreciation for quality.

Psychology

Psychologically, people often associate the word 'cheap' with lower status or quality, which can affect their perception of the item.
Studies show that price perception can greatly influence enjoyment, where cheap items are sometimes less appreciated than more expensive ones.
The idea of getting a 'good deal' can trigger positive emotions, outweighing the negative connotations of buying cheap.

Translations

Translations of the word "cheap" in other languages:

🇵🇹 barato

🇮🇳 सस्ता

🇩🇪 billig

preiswert
minderwertig

🇮🇩 murah

🇺🇦 дешевий

🇵🇱 tani

🇯🇵 安い

🇫🇷 bon marché

🇪🇸 barato

🇹🇷 ucuz

🇰🇷 싸다

🇸🇦 رخيص

🇨🇿 levný

🇸🇰 lacný

🇨🇳 便宜

🇸🇮 poceni

🇮🇸 ódýrt

🇰🇿 арзан

🇬🇪 იაფი

🇦🇿 ucuz

🇲🇽 barato

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,251, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

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4248 consultation
4249 corrected
4250 regret
4251 cheap
4252 accommodation
4253 ratios
4254 dam
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