unexpensive
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not costing much money: "unexpensive" describes something that is low in price or cheap.
- Not luxurious or extravagant: It can also refer to something that is simple or plain, without excessive ornamentation or cost.
Usage Examples
- (The dress was not expensive; it cost little money.)
- (The hotel was modest and not luxurious.)
- (He prefers items that are not costly but functional.)
Advanced Usage
- "unexpensive" vs. "inexpensive": "unexpensive" is a less common variant of "inexpensive," often used in older or more formal texts. Both mean "not expensive," but "inexpensive" is the standard modern term.
- The meal was unexpensive yet satisfying. (It was cheap but enjoyable.)
- In literary or poetic contexts: "unexpensive" can carry a slightly archaic or refined tone.
- He led an unexpensive life, free from material excess. (He lived simply without luxury.)
Variants and Related Words
- Inexpensive (adj): the more common and standard form meaning "not costing much money."
- This car is inexpensive to maintain. (It costs little to keep it running.)
- Expensive (adj): the opposite, meaning "costing a lot of money."
- That watch is very expensive. (It has a high price.)
- Expense (n): the cost or price of something.
- The expense of the trip was too high. (The cost was excessive.)
Synonyms
- Cheap: low in price.
- The tickets were cheap. (They cost little money.)
- Affordable: reasonably priced; within one's budget.
- This house is affordable for most families. (It is not too expensive.)
- Budget: inexpensive, often used to describe products designed to save money.
- We chose a budget airline. (The airline offered low-cost flights.)
Antonyms
- Expensive: costing a lot of money.
- Costly: high in price; involving great expense.
- Luxurious: extremely comfortable, elegant, or costly.
Related Idioms
- A dime a dozen: very common and not valuable; cheap.
- In this market, such souvenirs are a dime a dozen. (They are plentiful and inexpensive.)
- Penny-pinching: unwilling to spend money; thrifty.
- His penny-pinching habits kept his lifestyle unexpensive. (He always saved money.)
Notes on Usage
- "Unexpensive" is considered an archaic or dialectal form of "inexpensive." It is rarely used in modern English, except in historical texts or for stylistic effect. Language learners should prefer "inexpensive" for everyday communication.