inordinately expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inordinately expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively or unreasonably high in cost. Example: "The new smartphone model is inordinately expensive, making it difficult for many consumers to afford."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Village apartments seemed inordinately expensive.

The New York Times

Take out a zero and the vellum leaf would still be inordinately expensive.

The New York Times - Arts

I've been down this road, and it is an inordinately expensive and frustrating road".

The New York Times

It excludes 46.3 million Americans, according to the Census Bureau, and it is inordinately expensive.

The New Yorker

Using private insurance to expand health-care coverage is inordinately expensive!

The New Yorker

Not many have taken the view of Warren Buffett, an investment guru, who condemns them as "wildly capricious in their distribution of rewards, inefficient as motivators, and inordinately expensive for shareholders".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Not only would this be inordinately challenging and expensive, but also no one –least of all the Catholic Church – wants a 1960s concrete seminary here.

BBC

They're both child prodigies following in the footsteps of their fathers; they're both partial to taking a chance; and they both find themselves at the controls of a gigantic and gigantically expensive machine, at an inordinately young age.

The Guardian - Film

An inordinately large percentage of physicians' time in the Emergency Room--where care is more expensive than anywhere else in our health care system--is spent with patients who do not actually have emergencies.

Huffington Post

I got inordinately excited.

The Guardian - Music

"I'm inordinately excited".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "inordinately expensive", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the excessive nature of the cost relative to its value or comparable alternatives.

Common error

While "inordinately expensive" is correct, it's more suited to formal or analytical writing. In casual conversation, consider using simpler terms like "too expensive" or "way overpriced" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inordinately expensive" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe something with costs that are excessively high. It is used to express that the price is beyond reasonable or justifiable levels. Ludwig provides examples across a range of sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "inordinately expensive" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that means excessively or unreasonably high in cost. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase appears in various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. Its function is typically to express concern or disapproval regarding high prices. While generally acceptable, its formality makes it less suitable for casual conversations. Alternative phrases such as "unnecessarily expensive" or "excessively costly" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unnecessarily expensive

Highlights the lack of justification for the high price.

excessively costly

Emphasizes the high cost as being beyond what is reasonable or acceptable.

prohibitively expensive

Indicates the price is so high as to prevent purchase or use.

astronomically priced

Exaggerates the high price to an extreme degree.

ridiculously overpriced

Suggests the price is absurd and not justified.

exorbitantly priced

Implies an unreasonable and unfair price.

unduly expensive

Suggests the price is inappropriately high.

overly expensive

A more general term for something that costs too much.

unjustifiably expensive

Similar to "unnecessarily expensive", emphasizes the lack of valid reason for the price.

outrageously priced

Highlights the shocking and unacceptable nature of the price.

FAQs

What does "inordinately expensive" mean?

The phrase "inordinately expensive" means excessively or unreasonably high in price. It suggests that something costs much more than it should, given its value or comparable alternatives.

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

You can use "inordinately expensive" to describe items or services that are overpriced. For example: "The village apartments seemed "inordinately expensive" compared to similar properties in the city."

What are some synonyms for "inordinately expensive"?

Alternatives include "unnecessarily expensive", "excessively costly", or "prohibitively expensive" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "inordinately expensive" or "very expensive"?

"Inordinately expensive" is a more formal and emphatic way of saying "very expensive". It suggests a greater degree of excessiveness than "very expensive" and is more appropriate for formal writing or analytical contexts.