unaffordable
Americanadjective
Explanation
If something is unaffordable, it's too expensive. A house that costs millions of dollars is unaffordable for almost everyone. This adjective often describes things that cost too much money for the average person, like unaffordable rents in a particular city or unaffordable health care. When you can afford something, it's within financial reach; you can manage to purchase it. Unaffordable things are priced too high for your budget or bank account, like those ultra-rare sneakers you covet.
Vocabulary lists containing unaffordable
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Infant tuition for two had already been unaffordable, so the family placed the 1-year-olds with a nanny instead, at $7,000 a month.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
"A lot of my friends have felt disconnected the entire tournament due to the tickets being unaffordable," added Ray.
From Barron's ● Jul. 19, 2026
Regulators say stricter regulation will prevent people from splashing out on something unaffordable in a few clicks, taking on too much debt and being caught out by late payment fees.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
Housing costs over 30% of a household’s gross income are considered unaffordable, and are typically far too expensive for the average American.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 7, 2026
The MD offered antibiotics and antispasmodics but Jeanne had no insurance, the remedies were unaffordable.
From How and When to Be Your Own Doctor by Steve Solomon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
