way too expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "way too expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is excessively costly or beyond what one is willing to pay. Example: "I wanted to buy that new smartphone, but it's way too expensive for my budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That's way, way too expensive.

The New York Times

New York is way too expensive!

The New York Times

"That's way too expensive," I exclaimed.

The New York Times - Travel

"The tickets are way too expensive," he said.

The New Yorker

"It's way too expensive to benefit a very few.

The New York Times

"When you only have one, it's way too expensive".

The New York Times - Tech

It would be way too expensive for me".

The Guardian - Sport

Germany, predictably, has balked at this prospect as way too expensive.

The New York Times

"They are sexy and dramatic and, of course, were way too expensive".

The New York Times

That's probably way too expensive to be attractive to a mass market.

The Economist

"Housing is way too expensive," said Mr. Roher, a handyman in a lakefront trailer park.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "way too expensive" to express strong disapproval of a price, suggesting it's beyond reasonable or acceptable limits. It adds emphasis compared to simply saying "too expensive".

Common error

While "way too expensive" is widely understood, it can sound informal in professional or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "prohibitively expensive" or "excessively costly" to maintain a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "way too expensive" functions as an adverbial intensifier modifying the adjective "expensive". It emphasizes the degree to which something is costly. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "way too expensive" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something's cost is excessively high. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for neutral and informal contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing for professional or academic settings, consider more formal alternatives such as "prohibitively expensive" or "excessively costly". The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to strongly convey that a price is unreasonable or unaffordable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prohibitively expensive

Emphasizes that the price makes purchase impossible for many.

excessively costly

Highlights the extreme nature of the cost.

unjustifiably pricey

Suggests the price is not warranted or fair.

outrageously priced

Indicates the price is shockingly high.

ridiculously overpriced

Conveys a sense of absurdity regarding the price.

unaffordably high

Focuses on the inability to pay the price.

over the top expensive

Implies that the expense is extravagant and unnecessary.

beyond my means

Personalizes the expression, indicating a lack of financial capacity.

a king's ransom

Uses a metaphor to describe an extremely high price.

astronomically high

Emphasizes that the price is incredibly high.

FAQs

What does "way too expensive" mean?

The phrase "way too expensive" means that something costs much more than you are willing to pay or is beyond your budget. It's a stronger way of saying something is too expensive.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "way too expensive"?

It's appropriate to use "way too expensive" in informal conversations or writing where you want to emphasize the high cost of something. In formal settings, consider using alternatives such as "prohibitively expensive" or "excessively costly".

Are there any synonyms for "way too expensive"?

Yes, there are many synonyms you can use depending on the context. Some alternatives include "unjustifiably pricey", "outrageously priced", or "beyond my means".

Is "way too expensive" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase "way too expensive" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English. It is acceptable to use in many contexts, as Ludwig AI confirms.