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
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
Advertisement Explore our new section The oil industry’s decision to retract the proposition marks an unanticipated end to one of the state’s most expensive political contests.
—
Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2024
An original watercolor illustration for the cover of Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone, the first book in J.K. Rowling's international hit series, has become the most expensive piece of Potter paraphernalia ever sold at auction.
—Freddy Foulston, CBS News, 27 June 2024
The state with the most expensive gas in the country on Wednesday was California.
—Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 June 2024
Here's what to do 5 most expensive US counties to buy a home
California was home to six of the 10 most expensive counties in the United States to buy a home.
—Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for expensive 
Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2024
An original watercolor illustration for the cover of Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone, the first book in J.K. Rowling's international hit series, has become the most expensive piece of Potter paraphernalia ever sold at auction.
—Freddy Foulston, CBS News, 27 June 2024
The state with the most expensive gas in the country on Wednesday was California.
—Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 June 2024
Here's what to do 5 most expensive US counties to buy a home
California was home to six of the 10 most expensive counties in the United States to buy a home.
—Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for expensive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expensive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near expensive
Cite this Entry
“Expensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expensive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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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