expensive

adjective

ik-SPEN-siv/ɪkˈspɛnsɪv/

4 meanings of expensive

1
high priceadjective
Costing a lot of money to buy or pay for.
Like a price tag so big you put the thing back on the shelf.
The new phone was too expensive, so she waited for a sale.
Eating out every night gets really expensive.
UsageSay more expensive and most expensive. A thing is expensive; its price is high.
Similarcostly, pricey, dear, high-priced
Oppositecheap, inexpensive, low-priced
Note
2
computingadjective
Using up a lot of computer time, memory, or power.
Like a chore that eats up most of your day.
Sorting a huge list can be expensive for an old computer.
Drawing every scene in full detail is too expensive for my old phone.
UsageSaid of jobs a computer does, like sorting a list, not of the computer itself.
Similarcostly, demanding
Oppositecheap, inexpensive
Note
3
adjectiveobsolete
In the habit of spending a lot of money freely, sometimes wastefully.
Note

4
adjective
In cricket, allowing the batting side to score many runs per over bowled.

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From reconstructed Latin *expensivus, from a verb meaning "to pay out" (the source of English expend).

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

The proposed Latin form is reconstructed and should be marked *expensivus. en.wiktionary.org
The proposed Latin form derives from a verb meaning to pay out. en.wiktionary.org
That Latin verb is the source of English expend. en.wiktionary.org