expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that costs a lot of money or is high in price. Example: "The new smartphone is quite expensive, but it offers many advanced features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's very expensive.

The New York Times

Property aside, what's the most expensive thing you've bought?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's been expensive to bail out the banks, but as Lehman Brothers demonstrated, it would have been far more costly to let them go under.

The Economist

But Waldfogel's studies also suggest a very different solution: if most of the presents we buy are going to be less valuable in monetary terms than in sentimental ones, then there's no reason to believe that the more expensive gift is a better gift.

The Economist

Aimed at ultra-high net worth tourists from Asia and the Middle East, the cheapest rooms will be around 1,000 Swiss francs (£675) a night, while the most expensive will go for a bank-busting 25,000 Swiss francs (£16,000).

The Guardian - Arts

The most expensive subsidized health care is emergency room care.

The Guardian

There's no getting round the fact that student accommodation is going to be expensive.

The Guardian

Some countries, such as South Korea, have recently announced carbon taxes as a way of making the use of fossil fuels more expensive.

The Guardian

This view is echoed by Marshall, who feels that being partially deaf and requiring expensive equipment may mean that she is less likely to be employed.

The Guardian

In Christmas 2007, I found a nightclub in London selling the most expensive cocktail in the world.

The Guardian

The happy hour aperitivo runs from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, and although drinks seem expensive at €4, you have to see the mega buffet that is served at the same time - huge plates of smoked ham, salami, salads and either a steaming risotto or pasta.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the value of something intangible like education or healthcare, use "expensive" to highlight the significant investment required. For example, "Education may be "expensive", but the cost of ignorance is much greater."

Common error

Avoid using "expensive" as a standalone judgment without specifying what makes it so. Instead of just saying "That's "expensive"", provide context: "That car is "expensive" because of its advanced features and luxury brand."

Linguistic Context

The word "expensive" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a high price or cost. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and provides numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "expensive" is a very common adjective used to describe items, services, or concepts that carry a high price or cost. As Ludwig AI points out, its grammatical usage is correct, and its meaning is readily understood. It is frequently found in news articles and business reports. When writing, make sure to provide context to the usage of "expensive" to maximize clarity for the reader. Alternatives like "costly", "pricey", and "high-priced" offer similar meanings but may be suitable for different registers or contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

costly

A direct synonym, emphasizing the high cost involved.

high-priced

Focuses specifically on the elevated price point of something.

pricey

An informal synonym for expensive, often used in casual conversation.

dear

A slightly more formal or old-fashioned way of saying expensive.

premium

Suggests a higher price due to superior quality or exclusivity.

high-end

Similar to "premium", but typically used for products and services.

exorbitant

Implies that the price is excessively high or unreasonable.

luxury

Emphasizes the opulent and costly nature of an item or experience.

lavish

Suggests something is rich, elaborate, and therefore costly.

upscale

Describes something associated with wealth and high prices, typically relating to services or locations.

FAQs

How can I use "expensive" in a sentence?

You can use "expensive" to describe something with a high price. For example, "The repairs were unexpectedly "expensive"."

What can I say instead of "expensive"?

You can use alternatives like "costly", "pricey", or "high-priced" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "expensive" or "costly"?

"Expensive" and "costly" are often interchangeable, but "expensive" is more commonly used in everyday language. "Costly" might imply a greater burden or consequence beyond just the price.

What is the difference between "expensive" and "valuable"?

"Expensive" refers to the high monetary cost of something, while "valuable" refers to its worth or importance, which may not always correlate with price.