a bit dear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit dear" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is somewhat expensive or costly. Example: "I would love to buy that dress, but it's a bit dear for my budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"That's a bit dear," he immediately said, sounding surprised.

The New Yorker

Four six-ounce slabs at Citarella cost $40.02, at $25.99 a pound, which seemed a bit dear.

The New York Times - Food

Fresh as the merchandise is, with some adorable floral prints, the prices are a bit dear considering it has been so brazenly outsourced.

The New York Times

She reckons that a good book leaves people "feeling altered in a fundamental way", and life is too short for bad books.But if a session of bibliotherapy seems a bit dear, help is at hand with "The Novel Cure", an A-Z of literary remedies by Ms Berthoud and Susan Elderkin, a novelist and fellow bibliophile.

The Economist

Just reflect on that a bit, dear Professor Y! get your noodle in gear!" Poor Professor Y! This dull academician (whose most intelligent comment is "Why, holy moly! you're afloat in dialectics!") is led on a dizzying tour of Paris, overwhelmed by a crazed author who claims he's on the brink of a revelation just when the professor expresses a need to find a bathroom.

The New York Times - Books

It's a bit dear at $129 (it's kind of a "boss" keyboard) but at least you get free shipping.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But last weekend he took the field for something a bit dearer to his heart.

The New York Times

At around £11 a pot, colours from Nails Inc are a bit dearer than your standard fare.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After prices rose by more than 20% in the first three months of the year, everybody's life became a bit dearer.

The Economist

There are no spirits, so the alcohol is either wine – white, red, rosé – or an Aperol spritz (bit dear at £7.50, but lovely for a summer evening).

Independent

I'll be gone for a bit, my dear.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bit dear" to politely indicate that something is more expensive than expected, particularly in British English contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a bit dear" repeatedly in a single conversation or piece of writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "slightly expensive" or "a little pricey" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit dear" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a degree of expensiveness. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bit dear" is an adjectival phrase used to politely indicate that something is slightly expensive. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's commonly found in informal contexts, particularly in British English, and is often used in news and media sources. While it is a grammatically sound and understood phrase, it should be used sparingly to avoid repetition. Consider synonyms like "slightly expensive" or "a little pricey" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly expensive

Direct synonym focusing on the cost being somewhat high.

A little pricey

Similar in meaning, using the word "pricey" to convey expensiveness.

Somewhat costly

Uses "costly" as a more formal synonym for expensive.

Moderately expensive

Emphasizes a medium level of expensiveness.

A tad expensive

Uses "tad" to indicate a slight degree of expensiveness.

Reasonably expensive

Suggests the price is high but justifiable.

Kind of expensive

Informal way of saying something is expensive.

Not cheap

Understates the expensiveness, implying it's more than affordable.

On the pricier side

Indicates it belongs to a higher price range.

More than affordable

Highlights that the item's price exceeds what someone can easily pay.

FAQs

What does "a bit dear" mean?

The phrase "a bit dear" means something is "slightly expensive" or costs more than expected. It's a polite way to point out the high price of something.

Is "a bit dear" formal or informal?

"A bit dear" is generally considered informal but polite. It's often used in casual conversations, especially in British English.

How can I use "a bit dear" in a sentence?

You can say, "That dress is lovely, but it's "a bit dear" for my budget", to indicate the price is higher than you're willing to pay.

What are some alternatives to "a bit dear"?

Alternatives include "slightly expensive", "a little pricey", or "somewhat costly" depending on the context.