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A1 adjective #43 most common 15 min read

expensive

Top 43

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips expensive in 30 Seconds

Explanation expensive in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'expensive' is one of the first adjectives you learn to talk about shopping and money. It simply means that something costs a lot of money. You use it to describe things you see in shops, like 'an expensive car' or 'an expensive watch'. At this stage, you should focus on using it with the verb 'to be', such as 'It is expensive' or 'This is expensive'. You can also use 'very' to make it stronger: 'It is very expensive'. It is the opposite of 'cheap'. You might use it when you are on holiday and looking at souvenirs, or when you are talking about your favorite things. It is a very useful word for basic survival in an English-speaking environment because it helps you express your needs and limits when buying things. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just remember that it describes a high price.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'expensive' in more varied ways, particularly in comparisons. You will learn that because 'expensive' is a long word, you cannot say 'expensiver'. Instead, you must use 'more expensive than'. For example, 'A car is more expensive than a bicycle.' You also learn the superlative form: 'the most expensive'. For example, 'This is the most expensive restaurant in the city.' You can start using it to describe not just objects, but also activities, like 'Flying is expensive.' You might also use it with 'too', as in 'This shirt is too expensive for me,' which is a very common way to say you won't buy something. At this level, you are building the ability to talk about your preferences and make choices based on cost.

At the B1 level, you use 'expensive' to discuss broader topics like budgeting, travel, and lifestyle. You can use adverbs to be more precise, such as 'quite expensive', 'rather expensive', or 'fairly expensive'. You might also use the noun form 'expense' or the adverb 'expensively'. You can participate in conversations about the cost of living, saying things like 'Living in the city is more expensive than living in the country.' You also start to understand that 'expensive' can be subjective. You might say, 'It's expensive, but it's worth it because the quality is high.' This shows you are beginning to balance cost against value. You can also use it in 'if' sentences: 'If it weren't so expensive, I would buy it.' This level requires you to use the word to explain your reasoning and opinions in more detail.

At the B2 level, you can use 'expensive' in more formal and abstract contexts. You might use it to describe economic trends, such as 'an expensive housing market' or 'expensive government policies'. You understand the nuance between 'expensive' and synonyms like 'costly' or 'pricey'. You can use the word in complex sentence structures, such as result clauses: 'The repairs were so expensive that we had to sell the car.' You also start to use 'expensive' metaphorically, such as 'an expensive mistake' or 'an expensive lesson', where the 'cost' is not just money but also time or effort. You can discuss the social implications of expensive goods and how they relate to status and consumerism. Your vocabulary is expanding to include related terms like 'exorbitant' or 'prohibitive', and you know when to use 'expensive' instead of these more specialized words.

At the C1 level, you use 'expensive' with high precision and style. You can use it to convey irony or sarcasm, or to make subtle points about social class. You might use sophisticated adverbs like 'prohibitively expensive', 'unnecessarily expensive', or 'astronomically expensive'. You understand the difference between 'expensive' and 'valuable' in deep philosophical or economic discussions. You can write formal reports using the word to analyze financial risks or market conditions. You are also familiar with idioms and collocations involving cost, such as 'costing an arm and a leg'. Your use of the word is natural and varied, and you can easily switch between formal and informal registers depending on your audience. You might also explore the etymology of the word to add depth to your writing or speaking.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'expensive' and all its related concepts. You can use the word in highly specialized academic or professional fields, such as economics, law, or philosophy. You can discuss the 'expensive' nature of certain legal precedents or the 'expensive' cognitive load of a task. You use the word with total control over its connotations and can manipulate it to achieve specific rhetorical effects. You are aware of the word's history and how its meaning has shifted over centuries. You can effortlessly use a wide range of synonyms and antonyms to avoid repetition and to provide the exact nuance required for any situation. Your understanding of the word is not just linguistic but also cultural, recognizing how the concept of 'expensive' varies across different societies and historical periods.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

expensive in 30 Seconds

Expensive is an adjective used to describe items or services that have a high price tag and require a lot of money to buy.
It is a relative term, meaning what is expensive to one person might not be to another, depending on their wealth.
The word is commonly used in shopping, business, and daily life to discuss costs, budgets, and the value of luxury goods.
Grammatically, it uses 'more' and 'most' for comparisons and is the direct opposite of the words 'cheap' and 'inexpensive'.

The word expensive is a fundamental adjective used to describe anything that costs a lot of money. While its primary definition is straightforward—having a high price—its application in English is deeply nuanced and varies depending on the context of the conversation. In a basic sense, when you call something expensive, you are indicating that the financial outlay required to obtain it is significant. This could refer to a one-time purchase, like a car, or an ongoing cost, like a subscription or a lifestyle choice. The term is relative; what one person considers expensive, another might find affordable, making it a subjective measure of value and wealth. However, in objective economic terms, an item is expensive if its price exceeds the average market value for similar goods. People use this word in daily life to express hesitation, to justify the quality of a product, or to complain about the rising cost of living. For example, in a grocery store, a shopper might remark that organic produce is more expensive than conventional options. In a professional setting, a manager might reject a proposal because the implementation is too expensive for the current budget. The word also carries psychological weight, often associated with luxury, status, and high quality, but also with the potential for financial strain or 'buyer's remorse' if the value does not match the price paid.

Financial Context: Refers to items that require a large portion of one's income or budget, often leading to careful consideration before purchase.

Buying a house in the city center is becoming increasingly expensive for young families.

Beyond physical goods, 'expensive' can describe experiences and abstract concepts. An expensive education, for instance, refers to the high tuition fees of prestigious universities. An expensive mistake refers to an error that results in a significant loss of money, time, or resources. In this way, the word moves beyond the realm of shopping and into the realm of consequence. When we talk about 'expensive tastes,' we are describing a person's preference for high-end, luxury items that most people cannot afford. This usage highlights the social dimension of the word, where price becomes a marker of class and identity. Furthermore, the word is often used in comparisons. We say something is 'more expensive than' or 'the most expensive,' which helps us categorize our world into tiers of accessibility. In the digital age, we also see the term applied to 'expensive' software or 'expensive' data plans, showing how the word evolves with technology. The nuance here is that 'expensive' is rarely just about the number on a price tag; it is about the perceived weight of that number in the context of our lives and the alternatives available to us.

Comparative Value: Something is expensive relative to its alternatives or the buyer's expectations.

Is it more expensive to travel by train or by plane in this country?

In literature and media, 'expensive' is frequently used to set a scene of opulence. A character might live in an expensive penthouse or wear expensive jewelry to signal their success or villainy. Conversely, a character struggling with poverty might find even basic necessities like milk or bread to be expensive. This contrast is a powerful tool for storytelling. In economic journalism, 'expensive' is used to describe market trends, such as an expensive stock market where share prices are high relative to earnings. This shows the word's versatility across different registers of English, from casual slang to technical analysis. Ultimately, 'expensive' is a word that helps us navigate the complexities of value, desire, and necessity in a capitalist society. It forces us to ask: Is it worth it? The answer to that question is what defines our relationship with the things we buy and the lives we lead.

She has very expensive taste in wine, often choosing bottles that cost hundreds of dollars.

Consequence: Refers to the high cost of errors or negative outcomes in non-financial terms.

The war was an expensive failure in terms of both money and human lives.

The maintenance of a vintage sports car can be quite expensive over time.

Using the word expensive correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as an adjective and its placement within various sentence structures. Most commonly, it functions as a predicative adjective, appearing after a linking verb like 'be', 'seem', or 'become'. For example, 'This watch is expensive.' In this structure, the word provides information about the subject. It can also be used as an attributive adjective, placed directly before the noun it modifies, such as 'an expensive watch'. When using it attributively, it is often preceded by an article (a, an, the) or a possessive pronoun (my, his, their). One of the most important aspects of using 'expensive' is mastering its comparative and superlative forms. Because it is a multi-syllable adjective, we do not add '-er' or '-est'. Instead, we use 'more expensive' and 'the most expensive'. For instance, 'The red dress is more expensive than the blue one,' or 'This is the most expensive meal I have ever eaten.' This is a common area for learners to make mistakes, so practicing these structures is vital for fluency.

Predicative Use: The adjective follows a verb to describe the subject of the sentence.

That new smartphone looks very expensive.

Furthermore, 'expensive' can be modified by adverbs of degree to provide more specific information about the cost. Common modifiers include 'very', 'extremely', 'quite', 'rather', 'prohibitively', and 'unnecessarily'. Saying something is 'prohibitively expensive' means the price is so high that it prevents people from buying or doing it. Saying it is 'unnecessarily expensive' suggests that the high price is not justified by the quality or utility of the item. These nuances allow speakers to express their opinions and frustrations more clearly. Another useful structure is the 'too + adjective' pattern, as in 'This car is too expensive for me.' This indicates that the price exceeds a certain limit or capability. Conversely, you can use 'not expensive enough' to suggest that a low price might imply low quality, though this is less common. Understanding these patterns helps in constructing complex thoughts about finance and value.

Attributive Use: The adjective is placed before the noun to provide a direct description.

He bought an expensive gift for his wife's birthday.

In more advanced usage, 'expensive' can be part of participial phrases or used in result clauses. For example, 'Being expensive, the hotel offered top-tier amenities.' This explains the reason for the high-quality service. Or, 'The repairs were so expensive that we decided to buy a new machine instead.' This 'so... that' construction is excellent for showing cause and effect related to cost. Additionally, 'expensive' can be used in the 'it is + adjective + to-infinitive' pattern: 'It is expensive to live in London.' This structure is very common when talking about the general cost of activities or locations. By varying these sentence patterns, you can avoid repetitive language and sound more natural in your English communication. Whether you are writing a formal report on market prices or chatting with a friend about a recent shopping trip, these grammatical tools will ensure you use 'expensive' with precision and confidence.

The expensive equipment requires regular professional servicing.

Result Clauses: Using 'so... that' to describe the consequences of a high price.

The dinner was so expensive that I couldn't afford to go out for the rest of the month.

Is it more expensive to rent or to buy in this neighborhood?

You will encounter the word expensive in a vast array of real-world situations, ranging from the mundane to the highly specialized. One of the most common places is in retail environments. Whether you are at a local market or a high-end mall, the concept of price is always present. You might hear a customer say, 'That's a bit expensive, isn't it?' or a salesperson might justify a price by saying, 'It's expensive because it's made of genuine leather.' In these contexts, the word is a tool for negotiation and evaluation. Similarly, in the hospitality industry, hotels and restaurants are frequently categorized by how expensive they are. Travel guides and review websites like TripAdvisor or Yelp use dollar sign symbols ($$$) to indicate 'expensive' establishments, helping travelers manage their budgets. Hearing someone describe a restaurant as 'expensive but worth it' is a classic example of how we balance cost against quality in our daily conversations.

Retail & Shopping: Commonly used to discuss the price of goods and negotiate during a purchase.

I'd love to buy that coat, but it's just too expensive for my budget.

In the world of business and finance, 'expensive' takes on a more technical meaning. You will hear it in news reports about the stock market, where analysts might describe a particular stock as 'expensive' relative to its earnings per share. This implies that the stock might be overvalued. In corporate boardrooms, executives discuss 'expensive projects' or 'expensive acquisitions,' where the focus is on the return on investment (ROI). Real estate is another major domain for this word. Potential homebuyers often complain about 'expensive housing markets' in cities like New York, London, or Tokyo. Here, the word is not just about a single item but about a systemic economic condition that affects millions of people. You will also hear it in political debates, where opponents might criticize an 'expensive government program' or 'expensive tax cuts,' using the word to suggest fiscal irresponsibility.

Real Estate & Housing: Used to describe the cost of living or the price of property in specific areas.

Renting an apartment in San Francisco is notoriously expensive.

Finally, 'expensive' is a staple of popular culture and social media. Influencers often showcase 'expensive hauls' or 'expensive vacations' to attract viewers interested in luxury lifestyles. In movies and TV shows, the word is used to establish a character's social standing. A character might say, 'I have an expensive lawyer,' to intimidate an opponent, implying that they have the resources to win a legal battle. In music, especially in genres like hip-hop, 'expensive' is often used to celebrate success and the ability to afford high-end cars, jewelry, and clothing. Even in casual social settings, you might hear friends discussing their 'expensive habits,' like a love for artisanal coffee or high-end skincare. Whether it is used to brag, complain, or analyze, 'expensive' is a word that reflects our constant engagement with the economy and our place within it.

The movie features many expensive special effects that look incredibly realistic.

Popular Culture: Used to signal status, luxury, and the lifestyle of the wealthy in media.

He wears expensive suits to every business meeting to project an image of success.

Is it expensive to fly first class on an international flight?

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with the word expensive is related to its comparative and superlative forms. As mentioned earlier, many students mistakenly apply the '-er' and '-est' suffixes, resulting in non-existent words like 'expensiver' or 'expensivest'. It is crucial to remember that for adjectives with three or more syllables, English uses 'more' and 'most'. Another common error is using 'expensive' to describe people. While you can say 'He is a wealthy man,' saying 'He is an expensive man' sounds very strange and usually implies that he costs a lot of money to maintain (like a high-maintenance partner or a very high-priced consultant), which is likely not what the speaker intends. Instead, use 'wealthy', 'rich', or 'affluent' to describe a person's financial status.

Comparative Error: Incorrect: 'This car is expensiver than that one.' Correct: 'This car is more expensive than that one.'

It is much more expensive to eat out every night than to cook at home.

Another mistake involves the confusion between 'expensive' and 'costly'. While they are often synonyms, 'costly' is frequently used to describe mistakes or consequences that are not just financial. For example, 'a costly error' might mean a mistake that led to a lost game or a damaged relationship. 'Expensive' is more strictly tied to the price tag. Additionally, learners sometimes confuse 'expensive' with 'valuable'. Something can be expensive but have no real value (like a piece of 'junk' art with a high price tag), and something can be valuable but not expensive (like a family photograph). Understanding this distinction is key to precise communication. Finally, watch out for the use of 'expensive' with the word 'price'. It is redundant to say 'the expensive price'. Instead, say 'the high price' or 'the item is expensive'. This is a subtle point that separates intermediate learners from advanced speakers.

Confusion with 'Valuable': 'Expensive' refers to the cost; 'valuable' refers to the worth or importance.

The ring was not very expensive, but it was very valuable to her because it belonged to her grandmother.

Lastly, be careful with the word 'cheap'. While it is the opposite of 'expensive', it can also mean 'poor quality'. If you want to say something has a low price but is still good, 'inexpensive' or 'affordable' are better choices. Using 'cheap' can sometimes sound insulting to the product or the person who bought it. Similarly, 'pricey' is a common informal alternative to 'expensive', but it should be avoided in formal writing. By being aware of these common pitfalls, you can use 'expensive' more accurately and avoid the subtle errors that can confuse native speakers. Practice using the word in different contexts to get a feel for its boundaries and its relationship with its synonyms and antonyms.

He made an expensive mistake by forgetting to renew the insurance policy.

Adverb Placement: Adverbs like 'very' or 'too' should come before 'expensive'.

Is it too expensive to fix the old computer, or should I just buy a new one?

The expensive repairs took several weeks to complete.

While expensive is the most common word for a high price, English offers a rich variety of alternatives that convey different shades of meaning and levels of formality. Understanding these synonyms will help you describe costs more precisely. For instance, costly is a very close synonym but often implies that the high price is a burden or that the item is of very high quality. Pricey is a more informal, colloquial term you might use with friends when discussing a restaurant or a piece of clothing. If you want to emphasize that a price is unfairly high or way beyond what is reasonable, words like exorbitant, extravagant, or prohibitive are excellent choices. 'Exorbitant' is often used for fees or interest rates that seem like a 'rip-off'. 'Extravagant' suggests a price that is high because of unnecessary luxury or wastefulness.

Pricey vs. Expensive: 'Pricey' is informal and conversational; 'expensive' is neutral and can be used in any context.

The hotel was a bit pricey, but the view of the ocean was worth it.

In British English, you might hear the word dear used to mean expensive, as in 'That's a bit dear, isn't it?' This usage is less common in American English. Another useful term is steep, which is used metaphorically to describe a price that is difficult to 'climb' or afford. For example, 'The entrance fee is a bit steep.' On the more formal side, sumptuous or lavish can describe things that are expensive because they are rich and luxurious, such as a 'lavish banquet' or 'sumptuous furnishings'. These words focus more on the quality and appearance than just the price tag. When discussing high-end products, the term premium is often used by marketers to suggest that the higher price is justified by superior features or status.

Exorbitant vs. Expensive: 'Exorbitant' implies the price is shockingly high and perhaps illegal or immoral.

The cost of healthcare in some countries can be exorbitant for those without insurance.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, it is also helpful to know the alternatives to 'cheap'. Inexpensive is the most direct neutral alternative. Affordable suggests that the price is within reach for most people. Economical implies that something is a good value for the money, often because it saves money in the long run (like an 'economical car' that uses less fuel). Budget-friendly is a common modern term used in travel and shopping to describe low-cost options. By mastering this range of vocabulary, you can express your thoughts on money and value with much greater nuance and sophistication, choosing the word that perfectly fits the situation and your feelings about the price.

They stayed in an expensive suite at the Ritz, complete with a private butler.

Steep vs. Expensive: 'Steep' is a metaphorical way to say a price is high and hard to pay.

The $50 parking fee was a bit steep for just two hours.

The wedding was an expensive and lavish affair with over five hundred guests.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The root 'pendere' (to weigh) is also the ancestor of words like 'pendulum', 'depend', 'pension', and 'spend'. All these words relate to the idea of hanging or weighing.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɪkˈspensɪv/

US /ɪkˈspɛnsɪv/

The stress is on the second syllable: ik-SPEN-siv.

Rhymes With

defensive offensive comprehensive apprehensive intensive pensive extensive incentive

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'ex-pen-sive' with a strong 'x' sound (it should be more like 'ik').
Putting the stress on the first or third syllable.
Confusing the 'v' sound at the end with an 'f' sound.
Adding an extra 'e' sound at the end.
Shortening the middle syllable too much.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

The word is very common and easy to recognize in text.

Writing 2/5

Requires remembering the 'more/most' rule for comparisons.

Speaking 1/5

Commonly used in daily conversation; easy to pronounce.

Listening 1/5

Distinct sound makes it easy to identify in speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

money price buy cost cheap

Learn Next

valuable affordable luxury budget investment

Advanced

exorbitant prohibitive extravagant fiscal expenditure

Grammar to Know

Comparative Adjectives

More expensive than...

Superlative Adjectives

The most expensive...

Adverbs of Degree

Very/Extremely/Quite expensive.

Too vs Enough

Too expensive / Not expensive enough.

Linking Verbs

It seems/looks/feels expensive.

Examples by Level

This car is very expensive.

Ce voiture est très chère.

Subject + is + adjective.

Is the watch expensive?

La montre est-elle chère ?

Question form with 'be'.

I don't like expensive clothes.

Je n'aime pas les vêtements chers.

Adjective before a noun.

That restaurant is expensive.

Ce restaurant est cher.

Predicative adjective.

It is an expensive gift.

C'est un cadeau cher.

Article + adjective + noun.

The hotel is not expensive.

L'hôtel n'est pas cher.

Negative form with 'not'.

Why is this coffee so expensive?

Pourquoi ce café est-il si cher ?

Question with 'why' and 'so'.

Expensive things are often good.

Les choses chères sont souvent bonnes.

Plural subject + are + adjective.

This phone is more expensive than my old one.

Ce téléphone est plus cher que mon ancien.

Comparative form: more + adjective + than.

Which is the most expensive city in the world?

Quelle est la ville la plus chère du monde ?

Superlative form: the most + adjective.

It is too expensive to go by taxi.

C'est trop cher d'y aller en taxi.

Too + adjective + to-infinitive.

She bought the most expensive dress in the shop.

Elle a acheté la robe la plus chère du magasin.

Superlative used attributively.

Is it more expensive to live in London or Paris?

Est-ce plus cher de vivre à Londres ou à Paris ?

Comparative question.

The train is less expensive than the plane.

Le train est moins cher que l'avion.

Negative comparative: less + adjective + than.

This laptop is very expensive, but it is very fast.

Cet ordinateur est très cher, mais il est très rapide.

Compound sentence with 'but'.

They don't want to buy an expensive house.

Ils ne veulent pas acheter une maison chère.

Negative infinitive phrase.

I found a great hotel that wasn't too expensive.

J'ai trouvé un super hôtel qui n'était pas trop cher.

Relative clause with 'that'.

Maintaining a car can be quite expensive these days.

Entretenir une voiture peut être assez cher de nos jours.

Gerund as subject + can be + adverb + adjective.

He has an expensive habit of collecting rare books.

Il a l'habitude coûteuse de collectionner des livres rares.

Adjective modifying a noun in a prepositional phrase.

If the tickets are too expensive, we won't go.

Si les billets sont trop chers, nous n'irons pas.

First conditional sentence.

The meal was expensive, but the service was excellent.

Le repas était cher, mais le service était excellent.

Contrast using 'but' to balance cost and quality.

She lives an expensive lifestyle in the city center.

Elle mène une vie coûteuse au centre-ville.

Adjective used to describe a way of life.

It’s becoming more expensive to travel abroad.

Il devient plus cher de voyager à l'étranger.

Present continuous with 'become'.

I need to find a less expensive way to get to work.

Je dois trouver un moyen moins coûteux d'aller au travail.

Comparative used to express a need for change.

The project was cancelled because it was deemed too expensive.

Le projet a été annulé parce qu'il a été jugé trop coûteux.

Passive voice with 'deemed'.

Living in San Francisco is prohibitively expensive for many people.

Vivre à San Francisco est d'un coût prohibitif pour beaucoup de gens.

Adverb 'prohibitively' modifying 'expensive'.

The company made an expensive mistake by ignoring the market trends.

L'entreprise a commis une erreur coûteuse en ignorant les tendances du marché.

Metaphorical use of 'expensive' for a mistake.

Despite being expensive, the software is essential for our work.

Bien qu'il soit cher, le logiciel est essentiel pour notre travail.

Concession clause with 'despite + -ing'.

The cost of the repairs was so expensive that we decided to buy a new car.

Le coût des réparations était si élevé que nous avons décidé d'acheter une nouvelle voiture.

So + adjective + that clause.

They offer a range of products, from budget to expensive options.

Ils proposent une gamme de produits, des options économiques aux options coûteuses.

From... to... structure.

Is it worth buying expensive equipment if you only use it once a year?

Cela vaut-il la peine d'acheter du matériel coûteux si vous ne l'utilisez qu'une fois par an ?

Gerund phrase as subject of 'is it worth'.

The government's new policy could prove to be very expensive in the long run.

La nouvelle politique du gouvernement pourrait s'avérer très coûteuse à long terme.

Modal 'could' + 'prove to be'.

The transition to renewable energy will be an expensive but necessary endeavor.

La transition vers les énergies renouvelables sera une entreprise coûteuse mais nécessaire.

Adjective used in a formal, complex noun phrase.

The legal battle turned out to be an expensive drain on the company's resources.

La bataille juridique s'est avérée être une ponction coûteuse sur les ressources de l'entreprise.

Metaphorical 'drain' modified by 'expensive'.

He has a penchant for expensive wines and fine dining.

Il a un penchant pour les vins chers et la gastronomie.

Use of 'penchant for' with 'expensive'.

The sheer scale of the project made it astronomically expensive.

L'ampleur même du projet l'a rendu astronomiquement coûteux.

Adverb 'astronomically' for extreme degree.

While the materials are expensive, the craftsmanship justifies the price.

Bien que les matériaux soient chers, le savoir-faire justifie le prix.

Concession clause with 'while'.

The city is notorious for its expensive real estate and high cost of living.

La ville est célèbre pour son immobilier cher et son coût de la vie élevé.

Adjective modifying a compound noun.

It was an expensive lesson to learn, but one he would never forget.

C'était une leçon coûteuse à apprendre, mais qu'il n'oublierait jamais.

Abstract use of 'expensive' for a life lesson.

The museum houses some of the most expensive artworks in existence.

Le musée abrite certaines des œuvres d'art les plus chères au monde.

Superlative with 'in existence'.

The aesthetic of the film was achieved through expensive and meticulous set design.

L'esthétique du film a été réalisée grâce à une conception de décors coûteuse et méticuleuse.

Formal passive construction with coordinated adjectives.

The pursuit of such a high-risk strategy could be an expensive folly.

La poursuite d'une stratégie aussi risquée pourrait être une folie coûteuse.

Use of 'folly' to describe a costly mistake.

The brand's identity is built on the exclusivity of its expensive products.

L'identité de la marque repose sur l'exclusivité de ses produits chers.

Noun phrase with 'exclusivity' and 'expensive'.

The environmental cost of our consumption habits is an expensive debt we are leaving for future generations.

Le coût environnemental de nos habitudes de consommation est une dette coûteuse que nous laissons aux générations futures.

Metaphorical use of 'expensive debt' in a social context.

The project’s failure was an expensive blow to the administration’s credibility.

L'échec du projet a été un coup dur et coûteux pour la crédibilité de l'administration.

Metaphorical 'blow' modified by 'expensive'.

The intricate mechanism of the watch makes it both expensive and fragile.

Le mécanisme complexe de la montre la rend à la fois chère et fragile.

Correlative conjunction 'both... and'.

The company’s expansion into the Asian market was an expensive gamble that eventually paid off.

L'expansion de l'entreprise sur le marché asiatique était un pari coûteux qui a fini par porter ses fruits.

Noun 'gamble' modified by 'expensive'.

The high price of the diamond is due to its expensive and rare geological origin.

Le prix élevé du diamant est dû à son origine géologique coûteuse et rare.

Adjective describing a scientific/geological process.

Common Collocations

expensive taste

expensive mistake

expensive habit

expensive restaurant

expensive car

expensive hobby

expensive gift

expensive education

expensive equipment

expensive clothing

Common Phrases

too expensive

— The price is higher than what one can or wants to pay.

I wanted the jacket, but it was too expensive.

more expensive than

— Used to compare the price of two items.

Gold is more expensive than silver.

the most expensive

— The item with the highest price in a group.

This is the most expensive house on the street.

rather expensive

— Moderately high in price; a bit more than expected.

The hotel was rather expensive, but nice.

not expensive

— Affordable or low in price.

The tickets were not expensive at all.

become expensive

— When the price of something increases over time.

Gasoline has become very expensive recently.

look expensive

— To have the appearance of being high-priced or high-quality.

That watch looks very expensive.

sound expensive

— When a description of something suggests it will cost a lot.

Your vacation plans sound expensive!

prohibitively expensive

— So expensive that it prevents people from buying it.

Electric cars used to be prohibitively expensive.

unnecessarily expensive

— Costing more than is justified by the value.

This designer water is unnecessarily expensive.

Often Confused With

expensive vs valuable

Something can be valuable (important) but not expensive (high price).

expensive vs costly

Costly often implies a negative consequence, not just a high price.

expensive vs dear

In British English, 'dear' means expensive, but 'dear' also means 'beloved'.

Idioms & Expressions

"cost an arm and a leg"

— To be extremely expensive.

That new car cost me an arm and a leg.

Informal

"break the bank"

— To cost more money than you have or want to spend.

We can go on vacation without breaking the bank.

Informal

"pay through the nose"

— To pay much more than something is worth.

We had to pay through the nose for those last-minute tickets.

Informal

"a pretty penny"

— A large amount of money.

That house must have cost a pretty penny.

Informal

"top dollar"

— The highest price possible.

They paid top dollar for that prime real estate.

Neutral

"daylight robbery"

— When something is so expensive it feels like you are being robbed.

Ten dollars for a bottle of water? That's daylight robbery!

Informal

"rip-off"

— Something that is much more expensive than it should be.

Don't buy that; it's a total rip-off.

Slang

"worth its weight in gold"

— Very valuable or useful (often implying high cost).

This software is worth its weight in gold to our team.

Neutral

"spend money like water"

— To spend too much money, often on expensive things.

Since he got the promotion, he's been spending money like water.

Informal

"live beyond one's means"

— To spend more money than one earns, often on expensive items.

They are living beyond their means with that expensive apartment.

Neutral

Easily Confused

expensive vs Expensive

Basic term for high price.

Refers strictly to the amount of money needed to buy something.

The diamond is expensive.

expensive vs Valuable

Both relate to worth.

Refers to the importance or usefulness of something, which may or may not be reflected in its price.

This old photo is valuable to me, but it's not expensive.

expensive vs Costly

Very similar meaning.

Often used for mistakes or things that cause a great loss, or for very high-quality items.

A costly error cost them the game.

expensive vs Pricey

Synonym.

Informal and often used when something is slightly more expensive than you'd like.

The coffee there is a bit pricey.

expensive vs Exorbitant

Both mean high price.

Much stronger than expensive; implies the price is crazy or unfair.

The interest rates are exorbitant.

Sentence Patterns

This [noun] is expensive.

This watch is expensive.

[Noun A] is more expensive than [Noun B].

The car is more expensive than the bike.

It is [adverb] expensive to [verb].

It is quite expensive to live here.

The [noun] was so expensive that [result].

The hotel was so expensive that we only stayed one night.

Despite being expensive, [clause].

Despite being expensive, the quality is poor.

The [noun] proved to be an expensive [noun].

The delay proved to be an expensive mistake.

I have an expensive [noun].

I have an expensive phone.

Is it too expensive for you?

Is the ticket too expensive for you?

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very high; it is one of the top 2000 words in English.

Common Mistakes

This is the expensivest watch. → This is the most expensive watch.
Long adjectives like 'expensive' use 'most' for the superlative form.
The price is very expensive. → The price is very high. / The item is very expensive.
Prices are high or low; items are expensive or cheap.
He is an expensive man. → He is a wealthy man.
We use 'expensive' for things we buy, not to describe a person's wealth.
It's more expensive than the other. → It's more expensive than the other one.
When comparing, it's better to use 'one' to refer back to the noun.
I bought a car expensively. → I bought an expensive car.
While 'expensively' is a word, we usually use the adjective 'expensive' with the noun.

Tips

Comparison Rule

Always use 'more' and 'most' with expensive. Avoid 'expensiver' and 'expensivest' at all costs!

Use 'Inexpensive'

If you want to say something is cheap but you don't want to sound negative, use 'inexpensive' or 'affordable'.

Subjectivity

Remember that 'expensive' is subjective. What is expensive to you might be cheap to someone else, so use it carefully.

Common Pairs

Learn common pairs like 'expensive taste' and 'expensive habit' to sound more natural.

Stress the Middle

Focus on the 'SPEN' sound in the middle of the word. ik-SPEN-siv.

Avoid Redundancy

Don't say 'expensive price'. Say 'high price' or 'expensive item'.

Formal Alternatives

In formal writing, consider using 'costly' or 'exorbitant' for more variety.

Listen for 'Pricey'

In casual conversation, you will hear 'pricey' almost as often as 'expensive'.

Arm and a Leg

Use the idiom 'cost an arm and a leg' to express that something is extremely expensive in a fun way.

Extra-Pensive

Think: 'Extra' money makes me 'Pensive' (thoughtful). Expensive!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'EX' (extra) + 'PENSIVE' (thinking). If something is expensive, you have to do 'extra thinking' before you spend your money!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant gold price tag hanging from a simple loaf of bread. The contrast makes the word 'expensive' stick in your mind.

Word Web

Money Price Luxury Cost Wealth Budget Shopping Value

Challenge

Try to find five things in your room right now. Label them as 'expensive', 'inexpensive', or 'cheap'. Say the sentences out loud.

Word Origin

The word 'expensive' entered the English language in the early 17th century. It comes from the Latin word 'expensa', which is the feminine past participle of 'expendere'.

Original meaning: The Latin root 'expendere' literally means 'to weigh out' (ex- 'out' + pendere 'to weigh'). This refers to the ancient practice of weighing out pieces of precious metal to use as money.

It is part of the Indo-European family, specifically the Italic branch, leading to Latin and then into Middle French ('expensif') before English.

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'expensive' to describe someone's possessions, as it can sound like you are judging their spending habits.

In the UK and US, 'expensive' is a neutral word, but 'pricey' is very common in casual speech.

The 'Most Expensive' series on YouTube showcasing luxury items. The song 'Expensive' by Ty Dolla $ign. The concept of 'Expensive Taste' in fashion and lifestyle magazines.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Shopping for clothes

Is this on sale?
It's too expensive.
Do you have anything cheaper?
This looks expensive.

Eating at a restaurant

The prices are a bit high.
An expensive menu.
It's an expensive place.
Is the wine expensive?

Buying a house or car

The mortgage is expensive.
An expensive neighborhood.
High maintenance costs.
More expensive than expected.

Travel and vacations

Expensive flight tickets.
Is it expensive to stay there?
A very expensive trip.
Budget-friendly vs expensive.

Business meetings

An expensive project.
Reduce expenses.
The cost is too high.
An expensive acquisition.

Conversation Starters

"What is the most expensive thing you have ever bought?"

"Do you think it is more expensive to live in your city now than five years ago?"

"Would you rather buy one expensive item or many cheap items?"

"Is it expensive to travel in your country for tourists?"

"What do you think is unnecessarily expensive in today's world?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time you bought something expensive and regretted it later. Why was it a mistake?

If money were no object, what is the first expensive thing you would buy and why?

Write about the difference between something being 'expensive' and something being 'valuable' to you.

Do you think expensive clothes actually make a person look better? Explain your opinion.

How do you feel when you have to pay for something that you think is too expensive?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you cannot. 'Expensive' has three syllables, so you must use 'more expensive' for comparisons. For example, 'This car is more expensive than that one.'

The most common opposites are 'cheap' and 'inexpensive'. 'Cheap' can sometimes mean low quality, while 'inexpensive' is a neutral word for a low price.

It is an adjective. The noun form is 'expense'. For example, 'The expense of the trip was too much,' but 'The trip was expensive.'

Usually, no. If you say 'He is expensive,' it sounds like he costs a lot to keep. Use 'rich' or 'wealthy' to describe a person's money.

It means something is so expensive that it stops people from buying or doing it. For example, 'The cost of college is prohibitively expensive for many.'

Yes, but 'pricey' is informal. You would use 'expensive' in a business report and 'pricey' when talking to a friend about a new restaurant.

You can use it before a noun ('an expensive car') or after a verb like 'is' ('The car is expensive').

It is a mistake that costs you a lot of money, time, or effort. It doesn't always mean you spent money; it means the result was very bad.

Yes, but mostly in British English and mostly by older people. 'That's a bit dear' means 'That's a bit expensive'.

The superlative is 'the most expensive'. For example, 'This is the most expensive hotel in the city.'