expense
7 synonyms and 4 antonyms for expense, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Money spent on something; a cost.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use expense
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
living expenses
at great expense
expense account
Etymology
From Old French espense, from Late Latin expensa, related to Latin expendere — the same root as "expend."
Full origin of expense →Frequently asked questions
What does “expense” mean?
The word “expense” means money spent on something; a cost. In plain terms, a cost you pay, or the act of charging that cost to a business.
How do you pronounce “expense”?
“Expense” is pronounced ihk-SPEHNS (/ɪkˈspɛns/ in IPA).
How do you use “expense” in a sentence?
Here is “expense” used in a sentence: “Travel is my biggest expense each month.”
What part of speech is “expense”?
Depending on how it is used, “expense” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “expense” come from?
The word “expense” comes from Late Latin. From Old French espense, from Late Latin expensa, related to Latin expendere — the same root as "expend.".
Is “expense” a common word?
“Expense” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “expense” have?
“Expense” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: money spent on something; a cost.
What is the difference between expense and cost?
Cost usually refers to the amount of money needed to buy or produce something, while expense often emphasises money that is paid out, especially in business or accounting. In practice they overlap, but "expenses" frequently describes ongoing outgoings such as travel or supplies.
What is the difference between expense and expenditure?
Both refer to money spent, but expenditure is more formal and often describes the total amount spent by an organisation or government, while expense usually refers to an individual cost. Expenses can also mean money reimbursed for work-related spending.
