bit dear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bit dear" is correct and usable in written English, particularly in British English.
It is typically used to express that something is somewhat expensive or costly. Example: "I wanted to buy that jacket, but it was a bit dear for my budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 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

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

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

Even tenser bit: "Dear Dan," begins Deborah Dean, quite cordially, "I'm trying to finish my PhD thesis ('Women Performers As Workers') looking at the industrial relations aspects of working as an actress in theatre and television....what's with the cheap gag [courtesy of Jeremy Morgan] about sleeping with stunning actresses?

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 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

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

The Guardian

(PCWorld.com) The Facebook bit Oh dear - somebody leaked the source code.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bit dear" when you want to subtly suggest something is more expensive than expected, especially in informal or conversational contexts. It softens the critique of the price.

Common error

Avoid using "bit dear" in formal writing or professional communications. It is generally considered informal and may not be appropriate for all audiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bit dear" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is slightly expensive. Ludwig AI examples show it being used to describe the cost of items ranging from jackets to Aperol spritzes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “bit dear” is an adjectival phrase used to describe something as slightly expensive. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and usable in English, typically in informal contexts to express mild surprise or concern about a price. While primarily found in news and media sources, its informality makes it less suitable for academic or business settings. Alternatives like "slightly expensive" or "a little pricey" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly expensive

Replaces "bit dear" with more direct synonyms for expense.

a little pricey

Substitutes "bit dear" with a common alternative to indicate something is somewhat expensive.

somewhat costly

Uses a more formal tone to express the idea of something being a little expensive.

a tad expensive

Uses "tad" as an informal intensifier to suggest it's slightly expensive.

relatively high-priced

Emphasizes the price point in relation to other items.

on the expensive side

Indicates that something is leaning towards the higher end of the price range.

not exactly cheap

A more indirect way of saying something is a bit expensive.

a trifle costly

Uses "trifle" to minimize the degree of expensiveness.

moderately priced

Suggests a price that is higher than average but not excessively so.

approaching premium pricing

Indicates the item is nearing the cost of premium products.

FAQs

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

You can use "bit dear" to indicate that something is slightly expensive, like: "I'd love to buy that car, but it's a "bit dear" for my budget right now".

What's a more formal alternative to "bit dear"?

If you want to sound more formal, you could use phrases like "somewhat expensive" or "relatively high-priced" instead of "bit dear".

Is "bit dear" suitable for business writing?

Generally, "bit dear" is too informal for business writing. Opt for more professional alternatives such as "moderately priced" or "slightly expensive".

What's the difference between "bit dear" and "a little pricey"?

Both "bit dear" and "a little pricey" indicate that something is somewhat expensive, but "bit dear" has a slightly more British English feel to it. They are largely interchangeable in informal contexts.