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

The most expensive car sold on BaT last year was a 2022 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport that went for $4.1 million. —Robert Frank, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2025

Smart omissions, like leaving out an expensive or nonessential garnish. —Kendra Vaculin, Bon Appétit, 11 Feb. 2025

This ditches the expensive and not very road-relevant MGU-H (which recovers waste energy from the turbocharger) in place of a much more powerful MGU-K (an electric motor/generator that can power the wheels or regenerate energy under braking) and a larger battery. —Ars Technica, 11 Feb. 2025

Aluminum is generally more recyclable, and less expensive than plastic. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2025

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