Expensively Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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expensively

[ɪkˈspɛnsɪvli ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adverb

adverb

In a costly or expensive manner; at a high price.

Synonyms

extravagantly, lavishly, luxuriously.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
expensively

When describing something that costs a lot of money, often referring to the financial aspect without much emphasis on opulence.

  • She dressed expensively for the gala.
  • The restaurant serves food expensively.
lavishly

When something is done or given in a very generous or abundant way, often related to comfort or richness.

  • She was lavished with gifts on her birthday.
  • The banquet was lavishly prepared with the finest ingredients.
extravagantly

When referring to spending money in a way that is excessive or beyond what is reasonable or necessary, often with a negative connotation.

  • He spends extravagantly on gadgets.
  • They decorated their house extravagantly for the holidays.
luxuriously

When describing something that provides great comfort and elegance, often used to describe living conditions or experiences.

  • They stayed in a luxuriously decorated hotel.
  • The spa treatment was luxuriously relaxing.

Examples of usage

  • She dressed expensively for the gala.
  • The hotel room was decorated expensively.
  • He travels expensively, staying only in luxury resorts.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Economics

  • Items deemed 'expensive' often relate to supply and demand; the scarcer an item, the higher its price tends to be.
  • Luxury goods, like designer clothing, are marketed as expensive due to their quality and the status they confer.
  • In economic terms, something can be considered expensive if it takes a large portion of a person's income to purchase.

Pop Culture

  • In films and music, the portrayal of lavish lifestyles often ties into the concept of being 'expensive,' highlighting wealth and luxury.
  • Reality TV shows often focus on the 'expensive' lives of celebrities, driving public fascination with wealth.
  • Many fashion brands utilize the concept of 'expensive' to drive desirability and exclusivity.

Psychology

  • People associate high prices with higher quality, a phenomenon known as the 'price-quality heuristics.'
  • Cultural perceptions vary; in some cultures, spending 'expensively' is seen as a mark of success, while others may view it as frivolous.
  • Studies show that luxury items can lead to different emotional responses, influencing consumer behavior and self-esteem.

Education

  • In academia, 'expensive' can refer to tuition costs of prestigious universities, impacting access to education.
  • Educational resources labeled as 'expensive' often signal a level of exclusivity and may reinforce socioeconomic divides.
  • Some learning environments debate the value of computing resources; expensive tools can enhance learning, yet accessibility remains an issue.

Origin of 'expensively'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'expensive' comes from the Latin 'expensivus,' which means 'costly or wasteful.'
  • It evolved into Middle English around the 15th century, influencing how financial discussions were framed.
  • The '-ly' suffix adds the meaning of 'in a manner of,' making it describe how something is done.

The word 'expensively' is derived from the adjective 'expensive', which has been in use since the late 15th century. The suffix '-ly' is added to the adjective to form the adverb 'expensively', indicating the manner in which something is done at a high cost or price.


See also: inexpensive, inexpensively.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,972, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.