If something is expensive, it costs a lot of money.
Fuel's so expensive in this country.
I get very nervous because I'm using a lot of expensive equipment.
Synonyms: costly, high-priced, lavish, extravagant More Synonyms of expensive
expensivelyadverb [ADVERB -ed, ADVERB after verb]
She was expensively dressed, with fine furs and jewels.
They do a third-rate job very expensively.
expensive in British English
(ɪkˈspɛnsɪv)
adjective
high-priced; costly; dear
Derived forms
expensively (exˈpensively)
adverb
expensiveness (exˈpensiveness)
noun
expensive in American English
(ɛkˈspɛnsɪv; ɪkˈspɛnsɪv)
adjective
requiring or involving much expense; high-priced; dear
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈcostly
Derived forms
expensively (exˈpensively)
adverb
expensiveness (exˈpensiveness)
noun
Examples of 'expensive' in a sentence
expensive
Their administrators are choosing to store sensitive documents and expensive equipment here.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Some will charge, which can get expensive if you have a lot to send back.
The Sun (2016)
Remember your storage vendor won't be pushing you towards the less expensive route.
Computing (2010)
What is certain is that property disputes are expensive and life's easier when people stick to promises!
The Sun (2016)
It is claimed that this would make it more expensive to fly from Heathrow than almost any other airport.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yes, it's complex and expensive to make hydrogen.
The Sun (2016)
On the other hand, many credit-card deals are getting more expensive.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Your shopping is about to get more expensive.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
That is what makes defence so expensive.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They are both quicker and less expensive to run.
Brian Hoey AT HOME WITH THE QUEEN: The Inside Story of the Royal Household (2002)
Wealthy tourists scour the riverbank with their expensive optical equipment.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The facilities are much more modern and a lot more expensive.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The expensive new quango will cop all the blame.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Or planning refusal for any proposed building work that makes a property more expensive.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Those medicines that are available are prohibitively expensive.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The population is ageing and most of us become more expensive as we get older.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
None of the group seems remotely bothered about threats to make alcohol more expensive.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There must be a way the drug could be made less expensive.
The Sun (2006)
Do you have a lot of expensive technology which you struggle to use?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It performed well in test drives as new but became expensive to repair when older.
The Sun (2012)
The other is that normal cigarettes have become prohibitively expensive.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Government is getting increasingly expensive at a time when cutbacks need to be made.
The Sun (2008)
It added that the pound could weaken further and make borrowing more expensive.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The problem with relying on downsizing to release capital is that property is now very expensive across the country.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It might be an expensive player.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
To have the most expensive player in the world to come from Wales is incredible.
The Sun (2013)
Wine is expensive in this country, and anything that makes it cheaper without compromising on quality deserves a mention.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But if young people cannot afford to buy homes, that must be an indication that property is too expensive.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This country is too expensive.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
THE country 's most expensive house went on sale last week.
The Sun (2012)
In other languages
expensive
British English: expensive /ɪkˈspɛnsɪv/ ADJECTIVE
If something is expensive, it costs a lot of money.
Cars are so expensive in this country.
American English: expensive
Arabic: غالٍ
Brazilian Portuguese: caro preço alto
Chinese: 昂贵的
Croatian: skup
Czech: drahý nákladný
Danish: dyr bekostelig
Dutch: duur
European Spanish: caro
Finnish: kallis
French: cher
German: teuer Geld
Greek: ακριβός δαπανηρός
Italian: costoso
Japanese: 高価な
Korean: 비싼
Norwegian: dyr
Polish: drogi wartościowy
European Portuguese: caro
Romanian: scump
Russian: дорогой высокая цена
Latin American Spanish: caro
Swedish: dyr
Thai: แพง
Turkish: pahalı
Ukrainian: дорогий
Vietnamese: đắt
All related terms of 'expensive'
expensive toy
A toy is an object that children play with, for example a doll or a model car.
expensive brand
A brand of a product is the version of it that is made by one particular manufacturer .
expensive gift
A gift is something that you give someone as a present.
expensive hotel
A hotel is a building where people stay, for example on holiday, paying for their rooms and meals.
expensive education
Education involves teaching people various subjects, usually at a school or college, or being taught .
expensive restaurant
A restaurant is a place where you can eat a meal and pay for it. In restaurants your food is usually served to you at your table by a waiter or waitress .
expensive treatment
Treatment is medical attention given to a sick or injured person or animal.
Chinese translation of 'expensive'
expensive
(ɪksˈpɛnsɪv)
adj
[article]昂贵(貴)的 (ángguì de)
[mistake]代价(價)高的 (dàijià gāo de)
[tastes]奢华(華)的 (shēhuá de)
(adjective)
Definition
costing a great deal of money
He has a lot of expensive recording equipment.
Synonyms
costly
Having curtains professionally made can be costly.
high-priced
high-priced medical equipment
lavish
extravagant
hotels charging extravagant prices
rich
This is a Baroque church with a rich interior.
dear
Don't buy that one – it's too dear.
stiff
excessive
steep (informal)
The annual premium can be a little steep.
pricey
Medical insurance is very pricey.
overpriced
exorbitant
exorbitant housing prices
Opposites
budget
,
cheap
,
bargain
,
reasonable
,
low-priced
,
low-cost
,
inexpensive
,
cut-price
,
economical
Additional synonyms
in the sense of dear
Definition
charging high prices
Don't buy that one – it's too dear.
Synonyms
expensive,
costly,
high-priced,
excessive,
pricey (informal),
at a premium,
overpriced,
exorbitant
in the sense of exorbitant
Definition
(of prices, demands, etc.) excessively great or high