slightly expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has a higher cost than expected, but not excessively so. Example: "The restaurant was nice, but I found the prices to be slightly expensive for the quality of food offered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Picante also does catering, which is slightly expensive.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It all seems slightly expensive and perhaps an unsustainable strategy for Pholium.

The New York Times - Tech

The cases are functional (if slightly expensive) conversation pieces, and will do right by any bottle-toting beer drinker.

The New York Times

While waiting we ordered from the slightly expensive wine list a tart, fresh Mondavi fume blanc ($33).

The New York Times - Travel

Slightly expensive Don't miss The acropolis above Lindos has a Crusader castle that contains much more than ancient ruins.

The Guardian - Travel

[phone], slightly expensive Don't miss: Mount Pantokrator Mount Pantokrator, at 906m, is Corfu's highest peak.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Summing up the financial pros and cons: "No tuition fees, slightly more expensive living, much more expensive drinking".

Independent

"We think wireless will remain slightly more expensive because you're talking about radios, and radios are expensive," says Scherf.

MIT Technology Review

Slightly more expensive is Pousada da Sesmaria, Rua São Gonçalo, 190, 3892-2347, www.pousadadasesmaria.com.br.

The New York Times

The rent in a high-rise in downtown Brooklyn was slightly less expensive than in Manhattan.

The New York Times - Books

Once these are all sold, demand flows into the next, slightly more expensive, bucket of seats.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing costs, use "slightly expensive" to convey that something is more costly than average or expected, but not prohibitively so. This softens the impact of the cost and implies that the value might still be worthwhile.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly expensive" when the cost is actually significantly higher than expected. Using it in such a case can mislead the reader and undermine your credibility. Ensure the 'slightly' accurately reflects the degree of expensiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly expensive" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate the degree of cost. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it describing items ranging from wine lists to electronic devices.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

17%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly expensive" is a commonly used adjective phrase that effectively conveys that something costs a little more than expected, but not excessively so. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When employing this phrase, consider synonyms like "somewhat costly" or "a bit pricey" to provide variety and avoid overstating the cost. Keep in mind that its primary function is to inform the audience about a price range while mitigating potential concerns about high costs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat costly

Replaces "expensive" with "costly" and "slightly" with "somewhat", suggesting a similar level of expense.

a bit pricey

Uses the informal term "pricey" instead of "expensive" and "a bit" for "slightly", indicating a casual tone and a minor increase in price.

moderately priced

Employs "moderately priced" as a substitute, implying a balanced cost that is not excessively high.

relatively high-priced

Substitutes "slightly" with "relatively" and employs "high-priced", suggesting that the cost is high compared to other similar items or services.

not too cheap

Expresses the idea by negating "cheap", suggesting that the item is more expensive than the lower end of the price range.

somewhat dear

Replaces "expensive" with "dear" and "slightly" with "somewhat", suggesting a similar level of expense, but with a more old-fashioned tone.

a tad costly

Uses the more informal "a tad" for "slightly" and "costly" for "expensive", maintaining a casual tone.

marginally expensive

Replaces "slightly" with "marginally", indicating a minimal increase in price.

a little overpriced

Employs "overpriced" to highlight that the item's price exceeds its perceived value by a small degree.

just above average in price

States explicitly that the item is slightly above average in cost, providing a clear comparative assessment.

FAQs

What does "slightly expensive" mean?

The phrase "slightly expensive" means that something costs a little more than what is considered average or reasonable. It suggests that while it's not cheap, the price difference is not substantial enough to deter someone from purchasing it.

When is it appropriate to use the term "slightly expensive"?

You can use "slightly expensive" when describing a product, service, or experience that is somewhat higher in price compared to similar options, but not excessively so. It's suitable when you want to acknowledge the higher cost without making it sound prohibitive.

What can I say instead of "slightly expensive"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat costly", "a bit pricey", or "moderately priced" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "slightly expensive" and "overpriced"?

Yes, "slightly expensive" simply means the cost is a bit above average. "Overpriced", on the other hand, implies that the item's price is not justified by its value or quality, suggesting it's unfairly expensive.