Slightly expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Slightly expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that costs more than what is considered reasonable or affordable, but not excessively so. Example: "The restaurant is nice, but the menu items are slightly expensive for my budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Slightly expensive Don't miss The acropolis above Lindos has a Crusader castle that contains much more than ancient ruins.

The Guardian - Travel

Picante also does catering, which is slightly expensive.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It all seems slightly expensive and perhaps an unsustainable strategy for Pholium.

The New York Times - Tech

The cases are functional (if slightly expensive) conversation pieces, and will do right by any bottle-toting beer drinker.

The New York Times

While waiting we ordered from the slightly expensive wine list a tart, fresh Mondavi fume blanc ($33).

The New York Times - Travel

[phone], slightly expensive Don't miss: Mount Pantokrator Mount Pantokrator, at 906m, is Corfu's highest peak.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Summing up the financial pros and cons: "No tuition fees, slightly more expensive living, much more expensive drinking".

Independent

"We think wireless will remain slightly more expensive because you're talking about radios, and radios are expensive," says Scherf.

MIT Technology Review

Slightly more expensive is Pousada da Sesmaria, Rua São Gonçalo, 190, 3892-2347, www.pousadadasesmaria.com.br.

The New York Times

The rent in a high-rise in downtown Brooklyn was slightly less expensive than in Manhattan.

The New York Times - Books

Once these are all sold, demand flows into the next, slightly more expensive, bucket of seats.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a product or service as "Slightly expensive", provide context or justification. For instance, explain why the higher price might be worth it due to superior quality or unique features.

Common error

Avoid using "Slightly expensive" as a standalone statement without providing additional information. This can leave the audience wondering about the specific cost or value proposition. Always provide a comparison or reason to justify the expense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Slightly expensive" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun (often implied). It serves to qualify the cost of something, indicating it is somewhat higher than average, but not prohibitively so. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Slightly expensive" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjectival phrase that provides a nuanced way to describe cost. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it conveys that something is more costly than average, but not prohibitively so. For alternatives, consider "A bit pricey" or "Somewhat costly" /s/a+bit+pricey. When using "Slightly expensive", provide context to explain the higher price. Avoid overusing it without justification. This phrase is a useful tool for providing a balanced assessment of value and cost across diverse situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A bit pricey

Uses "pricey" instead of "expensive" and "a bit" instead of "slightly", offering a more casual tone.

Somewhat costly

Replaces "expensive" with "costly" and "slightly" with "somewhat", maintaining a similar level of formality.

Moderately priced

Employs "moderately priced" to convey a similar meaning with a focus on the price point.

Reasonably expensive

Indicates that something is expensive, but still within reasonable limits.

On the pricier side

Expresses that something is toward the higher end of the price range.

A little over budget

Indicates that something costs a bit more than what was planned or expected.

Not exactly cheap

Uses a double negative to imply that something is somewhat expensive.

Priced higher than average

Indicates that the cost is more than the typical or standard price.

Somewhat on the high side

Suggests a higher-than-usual cost without being excessively negative.

Not inexpensive

A formal way to say something is somewhat expensive using a negation of "inexpensive".

FAQs

What does "Slightly expensive" mean?

The term "Slightly expensive" suggests that something costs more than what might be considered average or ideal, but not excessively so. It implies the cost is somewhat higher than expected or desired.

How to use "Slightly expensive" in a sentence?

You can use "Slightly expensive" to describe products, services, or experiences. For example: "The new phone is excellent, but it's "slightly expensive" for my budget."

What are some alternatives to "Slightly expensive"?

Alternatives include "a bit pricey", "somewhat costly", or "moderately priced". These phrases convey a similar meaning with minor variations in tone or emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "Slightly expensive"?

Use "Slightly expensive" when you want to acknowledge that something costs more, but you don't want to give the impression that it's unaffordable or excessively overpriced. It's useful for providing a balanced assessment of value and cost.