expensive
30 synonyms and 14 antonyms for expensive, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Costing a lot of money.
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 expensive
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin expendere ("to pay out"), the same root as "expend"; has largely replaced the older word "dear" in the sense of "costly."
Full origin of expensive →Frequently asked questions
What does “expensive” mean?
The word “expensive” means costing a lot of money. In plain terms, costly — either in money, or, more loosely, in time and effort.
How do you pronounce “expensive”?
“Expensive” is pronounced ihk-SPEHN-sihv (/ɪkˈspɛnsɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “expensive” in a sentence?
Here is “expensive” used in a sentence: “That restaurant is too expensive for a casual dinner.”
What is another word for “expensive”?
Words with a similar meaning to “expensive” include 5-star, big-ticket, chargeful, cheap at half the price, costful and costly.
What is the opposite of “expensive”?
The opposite of “expensive” — its antonyms — are affordable, attainable, bargain, budget and cheap.
What part of speech is “expensive”?
“Expensive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “expensive” come from?
The word “expensive” comes from Latin. From Latin expendere ("to pay out"), the same root as "expend"; has largely replaced the older word "dear" in the sense of "costly.".
Is “expensive” a common word?
“Expensive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between expensive and costly?
The two often overlap, but there is a shade of difference. Expensive simply means something has a high price. Costly can mean the same, yet it also suggests a wider price paid — including damage, effort, or loss, as in a costly mistake. So all expensive things are costly, but not all costly things are expensive.
What is the opposite of expensive?
The direct opposites are cheap and inexpensive, both meaning something costs little. Affordable is a gentler alternative, suggesting a price you can comfortably manage without the slightly negative ring cheap can carry. Budget, low-cost, and economical are other common ways to describe things that do not cost much.
Does expensive mean high quality?
Not automatically. A high price can reflect better materials, craftsmanship, or brand prestige, but it can also mean something is simply overpriced. Expensive describes cost, not value. Something can be expensive and excellent, or expensive and disappointing, which is why careful shoppers weigh the price against what they actually receive.
What is an example of expensive?
Luxury goods are typical examples: a designer handbag, a sports car, a first-class flight, or a house in a sought-after area. On a smaller scale, a meal at a fine restaurant or the latest smartphone might be called expensive. Anything that costs noticeably more than the ordinary alternative fits the word.