C1noun5K

Expenditure

UK /["/ɪkˈspendɪtʃə(r)/"]/US /["/ɪkˈspendɪtʃər/"]/

Definition

the act of spending or using money; an amount of money spent

In simple words: The amount of money spent.

Examples

  • The company's expenditure on research and development increased significantly last year.
  • Government expenditure on infrastructure projects is expected to rise next quarter.
  • Household expenditure has gone up due to higher food and energy prices.
  • Reducing unnecessary expenditure is crucial for balancing the budget.
  • Annual expenditure includes all costs incurred during the fiscal year.

Usage notes

Used in discussions about budgets or finance. It is more formal than 'spending'. Avoid in casual conversations about day-to-day purchases.

Grammar pattern

expenditure + on + object

Memory hint

Sounds like 'ex-pen-di-ture' — imagine using a pen to tally up your expenses.

Collocations

  • considerable
  • great
  • heavy
  • item
  • amount
  • level
  • make
  • increase
  • control
  • go up
  • grow
  • increase
  • cut
  • limit
  • level
  • expenditure for
  • expenditure of
  • expenditure on
  • a cut in expenditure
  • a reduction in expenditure
  • an increase in expenditure

Synonyms

  • spending
  • outlay
  • cost
  • disbursement
  • expenses

Antonyms

  • income
  • revenue

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'expense' which refers to specific costs.
  • Using 'expenditure' in informal contexts where 'spending' would be better.
  • Mispronouncing as 'expenDITure' instead of 'expenDITure'.