A1adjective 1K

Expensive

🇬🇧 UK //ɪkˈspɛnsɪv// 🇺🇸 US //ɪkˈspɛnsɪv//

Meaning of Expensive

Costing a lot of money.

Expensive in a sentence

• This restaurant is too expensive for a casual dinner.
• She wears an expensive watch that sparkles.
• Buying a new car can be very expensive.
• The dress she wants is quite expensive, but beautiful.
• He thinks that living in the city is too expensive.

How to use Expensive

Used for items that cost more than average. Avoid using for inexpensive or cheap items.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'expensive' like 'spending' - both involve money and costs.

Related words

Collocations with Expensive

• expensive taste
• expensive hobby
• expensive gift

Synonyms for Expensive

• costly
• pricy
• high-priced
• dear
• lavish

Opposites of Expensive

• cheap
• affordable
• inexpensive

Common mistakes with Expensive

• Confusing with 'costly', which has a similar but slightly different nuance.
• Using with a negative connotation inappropriately; 'expensive' is neutral.
• Incorrectly using 'expensive' in place of 'costly' in more formal contexts.

Frequently asked questions about Expensive

What does Expensive mean?

Costing a lot of money.

How do you use Expensive in a sentence?

This restaurant is too expensive for a casual dinner.

Can you give another example of Expensive?

She wears an expensive watch that sparkles.

What are synonyms for Expensive?

Common alternatives include costly, pricy, high-priced, dear, lavish.

What is the opposite of Expensive?

Opposite meanings include cheap, affordable, inexpensive.

What words go with Expensive?

It commonly pairs with expensive taste, expensive hobby, expensive gift.

What are common mistakes when using Expensive?

Confusing with 'costly', which has a similar but slightly different nuance. Using with a negative connotation inappropriately; 'expensive' is neutral. Incorrectly using 'expensive' in place of 'costly' in more formal contexts.

How do you pronounce Expensive?

US: //ɪkˈspɛnsɪv//, UK: //ɪkˈspɛnsɪv//. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Expensive?

Used for items that cost more than average. Avoid using for inexpensive or cheap items.

What CEFR level is Expensive?

"Expensive" is at A1 level on the CEFR scale.