expensive
/ɛkˈspɛnsɪv/
Describes something that costs a large amount of money. While it can be a neutral statement of fact, it often carries a subtle negative connotation of being "overpriced" or beyond one's means, depending on the speaker's tone. Distinct from "costly," which often implies a heavy sacrifice or a detrimental toll (e.g., "a costly mistake"), expensive focuses primarily on the monetary price tag of an object or service. In luxury contexts, it can be used as a positive marker of prestige and quality. However, in everyday consumer contexts, calling something "expensive" is frequently a complaint or a justification for not purchasing it.
💬Casual Conversation
Did you really get that new gaming chair? It's pretty expensive.
Yeah, dude. Worth every penny for the upgrade.
Meanings
Collocations & Compounds
expensive tastes
A preference for high-quality, luxurious, or costly items or experiences.
He has expensive tastes that his salary can barely support.
expensive habit
A recurring activity or behavior that costs a lot of money.
Collecting antique cars became an expensive habit for him.
expensive mistake
An error in judgment or action that results in significant financial loss.
Not buying insurance turned out to be an expensive mistake.
expensive equipment
Tools, machinery, or devices that are costly to purchase or maintain.
The research lab requires very expensive equipment.
expensive jewelry
Ornamental items made from precious metals and stones that are costly.
She received a necklace with expensive jewelry as a gift.
Etymology
The word 'expensive' comes from the Latin word 'expendere', meaning 'to weigh out' or 'to spend'. It entered English in the 15th century, initially referring to something that caused a great expenditure or cost. Over time, it evolved to describe things that are high in price or value, requiring a significant amount of money to obtain.