Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Expensive

//ɪkˈspɛnsɪv// adj

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Having a high price or cost.

    "If successful, Edison and Ford—in 1914—would move society away from the ever more expensive and then universally known killing hazards of gasoline cars: air and water pollution, noise and noxiousness, constant coughing and the undeniable rise in cancers caused by smoke exhaust particulates."

  2. 2
    Taking a lot of system time or resources.

    "an unnecessarily expensive choice of algorithm"

  3. 3
    Given to expending a lot of money; profligate, lavish. obsolete

    "[…] And that he looked into his own affairs, and underſtood them; That he had, when abroad, been very expenſive; and contracted a large debt (for he made no ſecret of his affairs); […]"

  4. 4
    Having a high economy rate.
Adjective
  1. 1
    high in price or charging high prices wordnet

Etymology

From Latin *expēnsīvus, from expendō (“to weigh out (money), to pay out”) (whence English expend). By surface analysis, expense + -ive. In the sense of "high-priced" has largely displaced dear.

See also for "expensive"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: expensive