Expensive Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

💰
Add to dictionary

expensive

[ɪkˈspɛnsɪv ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

price

Costing a lot of money; high-priced.

Synonyms

costly, high-priced, overpriced, pricey.

Examples of usage

  • The restaurant is too expensive for me to eat there often.
  • Designer handbags are known for being expensive.
  • Living in a big city can be very expensive.
Context #2 | Adjective

quality

Of high quality or worth a lot of money.

Synonyms

high-quality, luxurious, premium, top-notch, valuable.

Examples of usage

  • Although expensive, the watch was worth every penny.
  • Luxury cars are often expensive but offer top-notch quality.
  • Investing in good shoes may seem expensive initially, but it pays off in the long run.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'expensive'

The word 'expensive' originated from the Latin word 'expensivus', which means costly. Over time, the word evolved to its current usage in the English language to describe something that costs a lot of money or is of high value. The concept of expense has always been tied to the idea of scarcity and value, making 'expensive' a common term in discussing the relative worth of goods and services.


See also: expensable, expense, expenses, inexpensiveness.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,816, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.