affordable

American  

[uh-fawr-duh-buhl] / əˈfɔr də bəl /

adjective

1. that can be afforded; believed to be within one's financial means.

   attractive new cars at affordable prices.

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noun

1. Usually affordables. items, expenses, etc., that one can afford.

   a variety of affordables for your gift list.

Usage

What does affordable mean? If something is affordable, it means its price is low enough that you (or most people) have enough money to buy it.Affordable is the adjective form of the verb afford. If you can afford something, you have enough money to pay for it. Much less commonly, affordable can be used as a noun meaning an item that one can afford.Example: Rachel wants to buy a luxury car, but with her budget I think she should consider a more affordable option.

Other Word Forms

• affordability noun
• affordably adverb
• unaffordability noun
• unaffordable adjective

Etymology

Origin of affordable

First recorded in 1865–70; afford + -able

Example Sentences

The housing factory surety guarantee idea is “super innovative,” said Jan Lindenthal-Cox, chief investment officer at the San Francisco Housing Accelerator Fund, a nonprofit that directs philanthropic money toward cost-cutting affordable housing projects.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

It said an area was considered affordable if average homes cost up to five times the average earnings of those working nearby.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Fast fashion offers an affordable way to keep up with kids who quickly outgrow their clothes.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

But Melanie Ferguson, a content creator behind the Southern Crush at Home platform, suggests other affordable ways to garner or fashion a basket on the cheap.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

Many young parents had trouble finding affordable child care.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

• cheap
• economical