Are you tired of using the word “expensive” over and over again? Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we will explore a variety of alternatives for expressing the concept of something being expensive. Whether you need a formal or informal way to describe an expensive item, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Alternatives
If you’re in a formal setting or writing a professional document, using alternative phrases can help you convey the idea of expensiveness more elegantly. Here are some formal alternatives:
- Pricy: This is a simple and commonly used word that is suitable for formal contexts. It suggests a higher price without being too informal. For example, “The new designer watch is quite pricy.”
- Costly: A slightly more sophisticated term, “costly” conveys a higher price point and can be used to describe products or services that come with a substantial price tag. For instance, “The renovations on this historic building were incredibly costly.”
- High-priced: If you want to emphasize the considerably high price of an item, “high-priced” is an excellent choice. For instance, “The luxury car is known for its high-priced features.”
- Exorbitant: When something is excessively expensive or unreasonably priced, “exorbitant” is the perfect word to use. For example, “The cost of healthcare in some countries is simply exorbitant.”
- Steep: This term implies a significant cost and is often used to describe prices that might be considered excessive or burdensome. For instance, “The price of real estate in this city is truly steep.”
Tip: When using formal alternatives for “expensive,” it’s essential to consider the specific context and choose a word that fits naturally without sounding forced or overly complex.
Informal Alternatives
If you’re in a casual conversation or writing informally, these alternatives can help you convey the idea of something being expensive in a more relaxed manner:
- Pricy: Yep, we mentioned it above in the formal alternatives, but “pricy” can also work well informally. It’s short, sweet, and widely understood. For example, “That designer handbag is so pricy, but I love it!”
- Costs an arm and a leg: This playful phrase conveys the idea of something being extremely expensive. It is typically used in a lighthearted manner. For instance, “I wanted to go on vacation, but the flights would cost me an arm and a leg.”
- Breaks the bank: This phrase, often used idiomatically, suggests that something is not affordable due to its high price. For example, “That new smartphone would completely break the bank for me.”
- Pricey as all get-out: This colloquial expression is used to emphasize a significant expense. It adds a touch of emphasis and informal flair to the conversation. For instance, “The concert tickets were as pricey as all get-out, but totally worth it!”
- Costs a fortune: When something is exceedingly expensive and almost extravagant, this phrase conveys the sense of its significant financial impact. For example, “Buying a luxury yacht costs a fortune, but some people just can’t resist.”
Tip: Informal alternatives are great for casual conversations or light-hearted writing, but use them sparingly in more formal contexts to ensure tone and appropriateness.
Avoiding Repetition: Variations and Synonyms
If you’re looking to vary your vocabulary even more, here are a few additional variations and synonyms for the word “expensive” that you can sprinkle into your conversations or writing:
- Pricey
- Costly
- High-priced
- Exorbitant
- Steep
- Premium: Indicating a higher quality or cost.
- Lavish: Suggesting luxuriousness and high cost.
- Bank-breaking: Emphasizing the financial stress resulting from the cost.
- Glamorous: Implying a high price associated with luxury and sophistication.
- Top-notch: Suggesting a premium price for a superior product or service.
Remember, it’s important to choose alternative words that fit naturally in your sentence while maintaining a coherent flow of thought. Don’t force words if they don’t feel natural in the given context.
Conclusion
Congratulations! Now you have an abundance of alternatives to describe something as expensive, whether you’re in a formal or informal setting. By using these various alternatives, you can add a touch of creativity and nuance to your conversations or writing, avoiding repetitive language. Remember to consider the context and choose words that fit naturally while maintaining clarity. So, go ahead and confidently express the concept of expensiveness in different ways!
