Pricey
adjective
Definition
1. Expensive.
2. Costing a lot of money.
2. Costing a lot of money.
Context Alive
They walked into the new Italian restaurant on the corner, excited to try it out. But when they saw the menu, they realized everything was a bit pricey for a casual weeknight dinner. They ordered two dishes to share and decided to come back for a special occasion instead.
Meanings
1 meaning
1
Expensive — Costing a Lot of Money (Adjective)
Very Common
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This meaning is about something that costs more than you’d expect or more than you’re comfortable paying. Imagine browsing an online shop for a simple white T-shirt and finding one that costs ninety dollars — that’s pricey, way more than most people would pay for a basic item. This is a casual, friendly way to say something is expensive. You might say “the hotel was nice but a bit pricey for what it was” or “organic food can be pricey, but a lot of people think it’s worth it.” Or think about a friend recommending a hairdresser and adding “she’s amazing, but fair warning — she’s quite pricey.” The word is softer and more conversational than “expensive,” almost like a gentle warning rather than a complaint. ✏️ “A bit pricey,” “too pricey,” and “on the pricey side” are the three most common combinations — they all soften the message and make it sound less like a harsh criticism.
Vivid ExampleShe loved the leather jacket the moment she tried it on. But when she checked the price tag, it was way too pricey for her budget. She took a photo of it and promised herself she’d come back during the sales.
Examples from the Street
“The food was amazing, but it was a bit pricey for what you got.”
The meal was excellent, but it cost more than you’d expect given the portion sizes
“London’s lovely, but God it’s pricey.”
The capital is a wonderful place to visit, but everything there costs a fortune
“I wanted the leather one, but it was too pricey, so I went for the cheaper option.”
I preferred the one made from animal skin, but it cost too much, so I chose the more affordable alternative instead
Common Patterns
a bit / a little pricey → slightly more expensive than you’d hoped or expected
too pricey → more than you’re willing or able to pay
quite / pretty pricey → noticeably expensive
really / incredibly pricey → very expensive indeed
pricey for what it is / for what you get → costs more than seems fair given the quality
pricey but worth it → expensive but the quality or experience justifies the cost
pricey area/neighbourhood/part of town → an expensive place to live, eat, or shop
pricey compared to / compared with → expensive when measured against something else
the pricey option / the pricier option → the more expensive choice between alternatives
not as pricey as → less expensive than something else
less pricey / pricier → comparative forms used when weighing up options
the priciest (thing) in/on → the most expensive item available
Collocations
2 collocationsa bit pricey
slightly expensive
pricey restaurant
an eating place with high prices
Example Sentences
12 examples
1
The restaurant was lovely, but a bit pricey for a Tuesday night dinner
The eating place was really pleasant, but it cost more than felt reasonable for an ordinary weekday evening meal.
2
Organic food is pricey compared to regular supermarket products, but some people think the quality justifies it
Food grown without chemicals costs noticeably more than standard items from the grocery shop, but certain people believe the higher standard makes it worth paying extra.
3
We looked at a flat in the city centre, but it was too pricey on our budget
We viewed an apartment in the middle of town, but the cost was more than we could afford with the money we had available.
4
That café is pricey but worth it — their coffee is the best in the whole neighbourhood
That small coffee shop charges a lot, but it’s justified — their hot drinks are the finest you’ll find anywhere in the local area.
5
She always picks the priciest thing on the menu and then complains she has no money
She consistently chooses the most expensive dish available and then moans about having nothing left in her bank account.
6
The hotel was quite pricey, but the sea view from the balcony made up for it
The place where we stayed cost a significant amount, but the sight of the ocean from the outdoor terrace compensated for the expense.
7
Taxis from the airport are really pricey — you’re better off taking the train
Hiring a cab from the air terminal is extremely expensive — it makes far more sense to travel by rail instead.
8
I love that brand, but their jackets are pricey for what you get — the quality doesn’t match the cost
I’m very fond of that label, but their outer garments cost more than seems fair — the standard of the product doesn’t reflect the amount you’re paying.
9
Living in that part of town is not as pricey as people think — you just have to know where to look
Residing in that area doesn’t cost as much as most people assume — you simply need to know which streets and buildings offer better deals.
10
We went for the less pricey option and honestly couldn’t tell the difference
We chose the more affordable alternative and truthfully weren’t able to notice any difference in quality at all.
Learner Examples
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Good English textbooks can be quite pricey, so I always recommend free online resources to students who are on a tight budget
High-quality books for learning the language can cost a significant amount, so I consistently suggest websites and materials that don’t charge anything to learners who don’t have much money to spare.
★
Private English lessons are often pricey compared to group classes, but some students progress faster with one-to-one attention
Individual language sessions usually cost noticeably more than shared lessons with other learners, but certain students develop more quickly when they receive personal focus from a teacher.
Phrasal Verbs & Idioms
0 items
Synonyms & Antonyms
7 items
Synonymsexpensive
costs a lot
costly
high price
overpriced
too expensive
steep
informal, high cost
Antonymscheap
low cost
affordable
within budget
inexpensive
not costly