VocabDictionary

expensive

/ɪkˈspɛn.sɪv/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Costing a large amount of money; high-priced.

Example Sentences:
  • They decided not to buy the house because it was too expensive to maintain.
  • She treated herself to an expensive bottle of wine for her birthday.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “expensive”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'expensum', the past participle of 'expendere', meaning 'to weigh out' or 'to pay out'. It entered Middle English via the Old French 'expens', referring to the act of spending money, eventually evolving into an adjective describing something that requires a large expenditure of funds.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'ex-pensive' as 'ex-pense' (extra expense); if something is an extra expense, it is expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions About “expensive

1. What is the meaning of “expensive” in English?

In English, expensive (adjective) is defined as: “Costing a large amount of money; high-priced.”.

2. How do you use “expensive” in a sentence?

They decided not to buy the house because it was too expensive to maintain.

3. What are English synonyms of “expensive”?

Common synonyms include:costly,pricey,dear,exorbitant,lavish

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “expensive”?

Derived from the Latin 'expensum', the past participle of 'expendere', meaning 'to weigh out' or 'to pay out'. It entered Middle English via the Old French 'expens', referring to the act of spending money, eventually evolving into an adjective describing something that requires a large expenditure of funds.