cheap

The word “cheap” means costing little money. In plain terms, low in price — and, often, low in quality or generosity to match.

“Cheap” is pronounced CHEEP (/ˈt͡ʃiːp/ in IPA).

Here is “cheap” used in a sentence: “We found a cheap flight to Lisbon for under fifty pounds.”

Words with a similar meaning to “cheap” include bargainous, brand X, budget, cheapie, cheapo and cheesy.

The opposite of “cheap” — its antonyms — are expensive and affordable.

“Cheap” is an adjective.

The word “cheap” comes from Old English. From Old English cēap, meaning "trade" or "market price." The adjective sense grew out of the old phrase "good cheap," meaning "a good bargain" — over time "cheap" alone came to mean low-priced.

“Cheap” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

Both mean low in price, but the tone differs. Inexpensive is neutral and simply notes that something costs little. Cheap can carry the same meaning, yet it often hints at poor quality or being of little worth. To praise a low price without implying inferior goods, 'inexpensive' or 'affordable' is safer.

It can be. Describing a price as cheap is neutral or positive, but calling an object cheap often suggests it is flimsy or badly made. Applied to a person, cheap means stingy or unwilling to spend, which is clearly critical. Context decides whether it is a compliment or an insult.

The main opposites are expensive, costly, and dear, all meaning high in price. When cheap implies poor quality, its opposites shift to well-made, premium, or high-quality. And when it describes a stingy person, the opposite is generous. The right antonym depends on which sense of cheap you mean.

Yes. Applied to someone's character, cheap means reluctant to spend money — stingy, tight-fisted, or miserly. It is an informal criticism, as in 'he's too cheap to buy a round.' This differs from the price sense; here it judges an attitude toward money rather than the cost of a thing.