B2noun 2K

Expense

🇬🇧 UK /["/ɪkˈspens/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ɪkˈspens/"]/

Meaning of Expense

the money that you spend on something

In simple words: Money that you spend on something.

Expense in a sentence

• The expense of traveling abroad can add up quickly if you’re not careful.
• Food is a significant expense in our monthly budget.
• She incurred a large expense when she had to repair her car.
• They decided to cut down on luxury expenses to save money.
• The company reported a significant decrease in marketing expenses this quarter.

How to use Expense

Use 'expense' in both personal and business contexts. It's appropriate when discussing costs, budgeting, or financial reports. Avoid using it in very casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

expense + object

Memory hint

Think of 'spend' in 'expense' — both relate to money going out.

Related words

Collocations with Expense

• considerable
• enormous
• great
• go to
• incur
• involve
• rise
• at somebody’s/​something’s expense
• at… expense
• at taxpayer expense
• at taxpayers’ expense
• at the taxpayer’s expense
• big
• considerable
• major
• high
• low
• allowable
• incur
• cover
• defray
• arise from something
• arise out of something
• increase
• expense account
• expenses claim
• expense report
• on expenses
• all expenses paid
• spare no expense
• high
• low
• allowable
• incur
• cover
• defray
• arise from something
• arise out of something
• increase
• expense account
• expenses claim
• expense report
• on expenses
• all expenses paid
• spare no expense

Synonyms for Expense

• cost
• outlay
• expenditure
• charge
• disbursement

Opposites of Expense

• income
• profit

Common mistakes with Expense

• Confused with 'expanse', which means a wide area.
• Using 'expenses' as a singular noun.
• Mispronouncing it as 'ex-pense' instead of 'ik-spens'.

Frequently asked questions about Expense

What does Expense mean?

Money that you spend on something.

What is the definition of Expense?

the money that you spend on something

How do you use Expense in a sentence?

The expense of traveling abroad can add up quickly if you’re not careful.

Can you give another example of Expense?

Food is a significant expense in our monthly budget.

What are synonyms for Expense?

Common alternatives include cost, outlay, expenditure, charge, disbursement.

What is the opposite of Expense?

Opposite meanings include income, profit.

What words go with Expense?

It commonly pairs with considerable, enormous, great, go to, incur, involve, rise, at somebody’s/​something’s expense, at… expense, at taxpayer expense, at taxpayers’ expense, at the taxpayer’s expense, big, considerable, major, high, low, allowable, incur, cover, defray, arise from something, arise out of something, increase, expense account, expenses claim, expense report, on expenses, all expenses paid, spare no expense, high, low, allowable, incur, cover, defray, arise from something, arise out of something, increase, expense account, expenses claim, expense report, on expenses, all expenses paid, spare no expense.

What are common mistakes when using Expense?

Confused with 'expanse', which means a wide area. Using 'expenses' as a singular noun. Mispronouncing it as 'ex-pense' instead of 'ik-spens'.

How do you pronounce Expense?

US: /["/ɪkˈspens/"]/, UK: /["/ɪkˈspens/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Expense?

Use 'expense' in both personal and business contexts. It's appropriate when discussing costs, budgeting, or financial reports. Avoid using it in very casual conversations.

What CEFR level is Expense?

"Expense" is at B2 level on the CEFR scale.