A tad expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A tad expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is slightly more costly than expected or desired. Example: "While I love the quality of this jacket, I must admit it's a tad expensive for my budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Miracle leggings cost £85, which may seem a tad expensive, but if you wear them more than your jeans, you will get your money's worth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sevilla: Negredo is an excellent signing (if a tad expensive at €15m), not least because while Kanouté was superb last season he is physically a little brittle.

The Guardian - Sport

Grouse tend to be a tad expensive at the beginning of the season so, if you like, half a bird would certainly suffice, especially if you were to serve it as part of this four-course supper, as I've suggested.

Independent

Even India might now be a tad expensive for such endeavours, but there is no shortage of other countries willing to pick up the slack (The price of humans who'll spam blogs is falling to zero, November 23).

The Guardian - Tech

3rd over: Ireland 13-1 (Stirling 7, Joyce 6) First over for Cummins and it's a tad expensive, mainly due to the second ball of the over which had a poor line and allows Joyce to flick one off leg stump to deep square where it just about trickles over the boundary.

The Guardian - Sport

They're a tad expensive, but they work.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

A car for the heart If the Toyota is a tad to expensive what are the alternatives?

Independent

Pinnacle's range of offerings is a tad more expensive, though, and better designed - particularly with regard to its core editing tools, which are visual, tactile and quite intuitive.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For seafood that is a tad less expensive, try Atlanta Fish Market, 265 Pharr Road, [phone], a cavernous Buckhead mainstay where the food is far classier than the 65-foot-tall bronze fish outside.There is a vast menu but the specialty is a trout fillet served with mushroom mashed potatoes, green beans and brown sage butter.

The New York Times - Travel

Me thinks these are a tad too expensive for meself.

TechCrunch

Li loved it, but thought it was a tad too expensive.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tad expensive" to express that something is slightly more costly than you'd prefer, maintaining a casual and understated tone. This phrase is suitable for everyday conversation and informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a tad expensive" in formal business reports or academic papers. Opt for more professional alternatives like "slightly overpriced" or "somewhat costly" to maintain a more serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tad expensive" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, describing something's price. According to Ludwig, it's used to express that something is slightly more costly than desired. It typically softens the statement, making it less direct than saying something is simply "expensive."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a tad expensive" is a grammatically correct and usable way to describe something that's slightly more costly than one might prefer. It is most often found in news and media sources but is considered informal, making it unsuitable for formal business or academic contexts. When needing a substitute, consider options such as "slightly overpriced" or "a bit costly" depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A touch expensive

Replaces "tad" with "touch", maintaining the meaning of slightly expensive.

Slightly overpriced

Focuses on the idea that the price exceeds the value slightly.

A bit costly

Uses a more common and straightforward term for expensive.

Moderately pricey

Emphasizes the degree of expensiveness as moderate.

Somewhat dear

Uses a less common, slightly more formal synonym for expensive.

Marginally exorbitant

Highlights that the price is extreme but only by a small margin.

Kind of steep

Emphasizes a higher price point using informal language.

Relatively high-priced

Indicates that the item or service is expensive compared to others.

Not exactly cheap

Uses a double negative to imply that the price is higher than expected.

On the higher end

Focuses on the positioning of the price within a range of options.

FAQs

What does it mean if something is described as "a tad expensive"?

Saying something is "a tad expensive" means it's slightly more costly than expected or desired. It's a mild way to express that the price is a bit high.

How can I use "a tad expensive" in a sentence?

You can use "a tad expensive" to describe something like, "The dress is beautiful, but it's "a tad expensive" for my budget right now."

What can I say instead of "a tad expensive"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly overpriced", "a bit costly", or "somewhat dear" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "a tad expensive" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a tad expensive" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, opt for more professional alternatives such as "relatively high-priced" or "somewhat expensive".