upcharge

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "upcharge" is an accepted and commonly used word in written English.
It is used to describe an additional fee or cost added to the original amount for a service or product. For example, "The restaurant added an upcharge of 10% to the bill for ala carte items."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Ultimately, the reason airlines cram us into tiny seats and upcharge for everything is that we're out there on Expedia and Kayak, shopping on exactly one dimension: the price of the flight.

The Economist

And the way to do that is...to cram us into tiny seats and upcharge for everything.

The Economist

(His voice rising) And the chef worked hard on it, just like my mom, God love her, and if you believe in the chef's values of hard work and creative spicing you should order it, although if you don't like chicken we can substitute shrimp for a small upcharge.

The New Yorker

Erich Merkle, an auto analyst and president of Autoconomy, said that environmentally motivated consumers "should have no problem with that kind of upcharge - it's insignificant over and above the cost of a Chevrolet Cruze if you think it's helping keep our planet clean".

The New York Times

"Dark of the Moon" is one of the few recent 3-D movies that justify the upcharge.

The New York Times

A study by Validas, a company that analyses its customers' bills to match them with an efficient phone plan, said that the upcharge on Verizon smartphone users was steep.

The New York Times

In the case of "Dark of the Moon" I at least know where my 3-D upcharge money is going, and one of the reasons I like it better than the other two — Shia LaBeouf has not grown on me.

The New York Times

Duane Reade, now owned by Walgreen, is proving that no block in Manhattan should be without a drugstore that also carries basic grocery items at an upcharge.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Upgrades are always offered on the spot, often with no upcharge," he said.

The New York Times - Travel

I love the act of shopping, and I am always happy to pay the upcharge for service and seduction".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "upcharge", ensure the context clearly indicates what the additional charge is for. Be specific to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid assuming that everyone understands what a specific "upcharge" covers. Always clarify the reason for the additional cost to prevent misunderstandings or disputes.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "upcharge" is as a noun, referring to an additional charge or fee. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in contexts ranging from airline pricing to restaurant menus. It can also function as a verb, though this is less common.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upcharge" functions primarily as a noun denoting an additional fee. Ludwig's examples reveal its prevalent use in News & Media and Business contexts. While grammatically correct, ensure clarity when using "upcharge", as the additional cost may not always be self-explanatory. Related terms include "surcharge" and "additional fee". As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is accepted in written English, and with an understanding of its nuances, it can be effectively used in various communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Surcharge

A more formal synonym indicating an extra charge.

Supplemental charge

Highlights the add-on nature of the fee.

Additional fee

Focuses on the fact that it is a fee, specifying that it is an addition.

Extra cost

Highlights the added expense incurred.

Added cost

Similar to "extra cost" but with slightly different emphasis.

Extra payment

Directly refers to the act of paying more.

Additional expense

Emphasizes the financial aspect of the extra charge.

Premium

Implies higher quality or exclusivity, justifying an additional cost.

Uptick in price

Indicates a slight increase in the overall price.

Price increase

A general term for an increase in price, which may or may not be an additional fee.

FAQs

How can I use "upcharge" in a sentence?

You can use "upcharge" to refer to an additional fee for a service or product. For example, "There's an upcharge for extra toppings on the pizza."

What's a synonym for "upcharge"?

A synonym for "upcharge" is "surcharge", which also refers to an additional fee.

Is it better to say "upcharge" or "additional fee"?

"Upcharge" is a more concise term, while "additional fee" is more descriptive. The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality. In formal contexts, consider "additional fee".

What is an example of an "upcharge"?

An example of an "upcharge" is when airlines charge extra for baggage or premium seating. Another could be a restaurant that has an "additional fee" for specific ingredient customizations.