pricey

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'pricey' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is fairly expensive or of a high price. For example, "This coat is a bit pricey, but I think it's worth it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Avenida Bajo de Guía 30, [phone], joselitohuerta.com Bar Barbiana, Sanlúcar It has the look of a pricey deli – backlit shelves of wine, artfully arranged langoustines – but the football is always on the television, the mood's relaxed and the drinks are cheap.

The Guardian - Travel

The pricey Q&A screenings that constituted the film's theatrical run probably didn't do much to court that crowd, but the film may yet reach its target demographic on DVD – or that most anarchistic of platforms, BitTorrent.

The Guardian - Film

Be careful about falling into the trap of using pricey English-only property websites.

The Guardian - Money

I like the slight bitterness of the walnuts as a base, mixed with sweet ground almonds and a few pricey pistachios, both for their lovely flavour and the crunch they bring.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tucked away on a hillside in a quiet area of north-west Antigua – and a stone's throw from Giorgio Armani's cliffside estate – Galley Bay Cottages are a rare find on an island where pricey all-inclusives and super-high-end resorts seem to dominate.

The Guardian - Travel

The most popular and pricey resort is Whistler, which boasts a new gondola linking the Whistler and Blackcomb peaks.

The Guardian - Travel

Avatar-alike John Carter (budget: $250m) has been widely reported as a pricey flop – but it would have been a lot worse had overseas not added $200m to the $69m US take.

The Guardian - Film

My modest hope is that when you hear anyone using any or all of these words – I recently heard a robo-CEO use the lot, at the launch of a pricey building – you pause and ask yourself whether the speaker is not in fact offering anything real at all, but a re-badged Thatcher's Child chancer trying to make a fast buck.

The Guardian - Books

If theatre's image gets too glamorous, and too pricey, will the younger punters, whom the Wells are doing so much too attract, simply be frightened away?

The Guardian

The Côte d'Azur is pricey, so be cunning and stay inland, in the rolling Vars countryside, within 15km of the beaches of Fréjus.

The Guardian - Travel

The timing added fuel to protesters' rage by highlighting the contrast between pricey new stadiums and shoddy public infrastructure, and gave them a chance to air grievances with the world watching.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pricey" when you want to convey that something is expensive, but perhaps worth the cost due to its quality or desirability. For a neutral tone, use "expensive".

Common error

Avoid using "pricey" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral and professional alternatives like "expensive" or "high-priced" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "pricey" functions primarily as an adjective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe something as expensive or costly. Examples show it modifying nouns like "deli", "pistachios", "resort", "houses", and "equipment".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pricey" is a commonly used adjective that describes something as expensive. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. While acceptable, more formal terms like "expensive" or "high-priced" might be preferable in certain professional or academic settings. The word frequently appears in news and media, indicating a neutral register. When deciding whether to use "pricey", consider your audience and the level of formality required. Its connotations suggest that, despite the high cost, there may be a certain level of value associated with the object or service in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expensive

This is a general and widely understood synonym for "pricey".

costly

Similar to expensive, but can sometimes imply a greater sense of financial burden.

high-priced

More formal than "pricey", directly indicating a high price.

dear

A somewhat old-fashioned term for expensive.

overpriced

Implies that something is more expensive than it should be.

premium

Suggests high quality and, therefore, a high price.

top-tier

Indicates the highest level of quality and associated cost.

upscale

Describes something associated with wealth and high social status, implying expensiveness.

exorbitant

Suggests an unreasonably high price.

lavish

Indicates something luxurious and, by implication, expensive.

FAQs

How can I use "pricey" in a sentence?

You can use "pricey" to describe items or experiences that are expensive. For example, "The restaurant was good, but a bit pricey" or "Pricey gadgets aren't always the best".

What are some synonyms for "pricey"?

Alternatives to "pricey" include "expensive", "costly", "high-priced", and "dear". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "pricey" too informal for professional writing?

While "pricey" is generally acceptable, it's often better to use more formal alternatives like "expensive" or "high-priced" in professional or academic contexts.

What's the difference between "pricey" and "overpriced"?

"Pricey" simply means expensive, while "overpriced" suggests that something is more expensive than it's worth. Using "overpriced" implies a negative judgment about the value for money.