expensive looking

USAGE SUMMARY

"expensive looking" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that appears to be costly or high-end in appearance. An example: "She wore an expensive looking dress to the gala." Alternative expressions include "luxurious appearance," "high-end look," and "costly appearance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Underneath he had a "designer-style, expensive looking T-shirt".

The Guardian

Leather-look coated track pants topshop.com; £38 Highly wearable, extremely flattering and rather expensive looking.

Independent

You can't have an important looking magazine without important (or at least expensive looking) advertising.

The Guardian - Opinion

The sun was setting when an expensive looking SUV stopped next to us.

Huffington Post

Keep it classy and expensive looking.

WikiHow

Buy a lot of the same outfits, preferably intimidating or expensive looking robes/armor.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

He shook hands and traded compliments with important-looking men in expensive-looking suits.

The New York Times - Food

Just two more vibrant twenty-somethings in expensive-looking tennis gear.

The New York Times - Sports

Some of the Ambassadors gamely pulled the shirts over their expensive-looking suits.

The New Yorker

At the next exit, he made a U-turn in someone's expensive-looking driveway.

The New York Times

There were multimedia exhibits on European aquaculture and expensive-looking brochures illustrated with European fish.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an object, use "expensive looking" to imply that its appearance suggests a high value, whether or not its actual cost is known. This is useful when you want to convey an impression of wealth or quality.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the phrase "expensive looking" in a single text. Using it too frequently can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Instead, vary your descriptions with synonyms like "high-end appearance" or "luxury aesthetic" to keep your prose engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expensive looking" primarily functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to describe its appearance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable term in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expensive looking" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that functions as a compound adjective to describe something giving the impression of high cost or quality, as validated by Ludwig AI. While not as common as simpler adjectives like "expensive", it provides a specific nuance that is useful in various contexts, particularly in news, media and informal writing. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning and consider varying your descriptions with synonyms like "high-end appearance" or "luxury aesthetic" to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

costly appearance

Directly implies that the appearance suggests a high cost or value.

high-end appearance

Focuses on the quality and sophistication of the appearance, suggesting a premium aesthetic.

luxury aesthetic

Emphasizes the luxurious and opulent qualities of the appearance.

upscale style

Highlights the sophisticated and refined nature of the style.

classy look

Suggests a stylish and sophisticated appearance, often associated with elegance and good taste.

premium design

Focuses on the high-quality and exclusive aspects of the design.

opulent facade

Implies a rich and extravagant outward appearance, often suggesting wealth.

lavish design

Highlights the abundance and richness in the design.

polished style

Focuses on the refinement and sophistication of the style.

refined appearance

Highlights the elegance and sophistication of the outward look.

FAQs

How can I use "expensive looking" in a sentence?

You can use "expensive looking" to describe something that appears to be of high value or quality, such as "She wore an "expensive looking" dress to the party" or "The restaurant had an "expensive looking" decor that impressed the clients".

What are some alternatives to "expensive looking"?

Alternatives include "high-end appearance", "luxury aesthetic", or "costly appearance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "expensive looking"?

Yes, "expensive looking" is grammatically correct. It functions as an adjective phrase describing the appearance of something.

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

"Expensive" indicates the actual cost of something, while "expensive looking" describes the appearance of something, suggesting that it appears costly, regardless of its actual price.