least expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

"least expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something which costs less than other options (i.e. the least expensive option). For example: The least expensive dress in the store caught my eye.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We've always been the least expensive.

The New York Times

Indeed, many are among the least expensive.

The New Yorker

The least expensive V-6 is $26,190.

The New York Times

The least expensive bottle is $32.

The New York Times

Least expensive: organics from Argentina and Chile for $36.

The New York Times

You could go for the least expensive.

The Guardian - Money

It's the least expensive smartphone in history.

The New York Times - Tech

This encourages the least expensive reductions.

The New York Times

The least expensive hydrogen, however, is dirty.

MIT Technology Review

Tata created the world's least expensive automobile.

MIT Technology Review

Preventive medicine is always the best and least expensive medicine.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing options, clearly state what you are comparing to provide context. For instance, "This is the "least expensive" option compared to other brands."

Common error

Don't equate "least expensive" with the best choice. Consider factors like quality, durability, and long-term costs, as a slightly pricier option might offer better overall value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least expensive" functions primarily as an adjective used to modify a noun, indicating that the noun it modifies has the lowest price among a set of alternatives. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

21%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "least expensive" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the option with the lowest price, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's used across diverse contexts, from news reports and academic papers to everyday conversations. While "least expensive" is often a key consideration, it's important to remember that the cheapest option isn't always the best value; factors like quality and durability should also be weighed. Consider alternatives like "cheapest", "most economical", or "lowest priced" to add variety to your writing. The prevalence of "least expensive" in authoritative sources like The New York Times underscores its widespread acceptance and reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cheapest

Single word synonym focusing directly on low price.

most economical

Emphasizes efficiency and value for money.

lowest priced

Directly refers to the numerical price being the lowest.

budget-friendly

Highlights suitability for those with limited budgets.

value-priced

Indicates a good balance between cost and quality.

cost-effective

Implies that the benefits outweigh the cost, making it a smart choice.

discounted

Suggests a reduction from the original price.

on sale

Indicates a temporary price reduction.

bargain-priced

Highlights the item as a particularly good deal.

reduced

Focuses on the fact that the price has been lowered.

FAQs

How do I use "least expensive" in a sentence?

You can use "least expensive" to describe the option with the lowest price. For example, "This is the "least expensive" car on the market."

What can I say instead of "least expensive"?

You can use alternatives like "cheapest", "most economical", or "lowest priced" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "least expensive" or "less expensive"?

"Least expensive" indicates the absolute lowest price among multiple options, while "less expensive" simply means cheaper than another specific item or option but not necessarily the cheapest overall.

What's the difference between "least expensive" and "most affordable"?

"Least expensive" refers directly to the price, while "most affordable" considers the price in relation to someone's ability to pay. Something might be "least expensive" but not "most affordable" for everyone.