a bit pricey

USAGE SUMMARY

'a bit pricey' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that costs more than you would have preferred to pay. For example, "I like the car, but it's a bit pricey for my budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A bit pricey.

The Guardian - Travel

"And it is a bit pricey.

The New York Times

To me, that's a bit pricey.

The New York Times

A bit pricey for one person, perhaps, but not terrible.

The New York Times

It is quite good, if a bit pricey.

The New York Times - Travel

Wine Events ($4 on iOS and Android) is a bit pricey, but the service is useful.

The New York Times

It is also a bit pricey, at $250 with a two-year Verizon contract.

The New York Times

A bit pricey for the Frugal Traveler, perhaps, but a full meal.

The New York Times

WINE LIST -- A bit pricey, with an appealing array from Italy and California.

The New York Times

Some dishes work better than others, and some feel a bit pricey.

The New York Times

It has become a bit pricey for Ms. Chamberlain, whose rating is now a modest "accumulate".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "a bit pricey" with a justification or context. For example, "It's a bit pricey, but the quality is worth it".

Common error

While "a bit pricey" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it in formal business reports or academic papers. Opt for more professional alternatives like "relatively expensive" or "somewhat costly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit pricey" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase, that describes the noun it precedes or refers to. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in expressing that something's cost is slightly higher than expected.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Travel

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a bit pricey" is a common and acceptable way to describe something that is somewhat expensive. Ludwig AI validates its use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's generally suitable for neutral and informal settings, more formal alternatives like "relatively expensive" might be preferred in professional or academic writing. Remember to provide context when using this phrase, justifying the higher cost or comparing it to alternatives. Avoid overusing it in formal documents to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat expensive

Directly replaces "a bit pricey" with more formal vocabulary.

slightly costly

Substitutes "pricey" with "costly" and uses "slightly" to maintain a similar degree of expensiveness.

relatively expensive

Indicates that the cost is high in comparison to something else, implying a relative expensiveness.

a tad expensive

Uses "a tad" as a more informal and lighter substitute for "a bit".

a little expensive

Uses "a little" in place of "a bit", conveying a similar level of expensiveness.

moderately priced

Suggests the item is in the middle range of pricing but leans towards the higher end.

on the higher side of cost

Describes the item as being more expensive compared to average costs.

not exactly cheap

Emphasizes that the item is not inexpensive, indirectly suggesting it is somewhat pricey.

more than I'd like to pay

Expresses personal reluctance towards the price, suggesting it's higher than desired.

somewhat steep

Uses "steep" to suggest a higher cost in a slightly more informal tone.

FAQs

What does "a bit pricey" mean?

The phrase "a bit pricey" means that something is considered somewhat expensive. It suggests the price is higher than expected or desired, but not excessively so.

What can I say instead of "a bit pricey"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat expensive", "slightly costly", or "relatively expensive" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it okay to use "a bit pricey" in formal writing?

While understandable, "a bit pricey" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, opt for more professional alternatives such as "relatively expensive" or "somewhat expensive".

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

You can use "a bit pricey" to describe the cost of an item or service. For example, "The restaurant was good, but the food was a bit pricey". You could also say, "The phone is great, but the monthly plan is "a bit pricey"".