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
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
Adapting homes and infrastructure to coastal flooding is not just expensive, but will have limitations.
—
Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
The Charlotte Observer found that all of CLT Airport’s parking lots are more expensive than all but one of the off-airport sites.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2025
And these days many would-be renters end up as buyers because the rental market in NYC is still so competitive and expensive.
—Frederick Peters, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
That distinction belongs to hedge-fund titan Ken Griffin, whose $238 million purchase at 220 Central Park South in 2019 remains the most expensive home ever sold in the United States.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expensive
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Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
The Charlotte Observer found that all of CLT Airport’s parking lots are more expensive than all but one of the off-airport sites.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2025
And these days many would-be renters end up as buyers because the rental market in NYC is still so competitive and expensive.
—Frederick Peters, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
That distinction belongs to hedge-fund titan Ken Griffin, whose $238 million purchase at 220 Central Park South in 2019 remains the most expensive home ever sold in the United States.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expensive
Cite this Entry
“Expensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expensive. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.
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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