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

Because it is already affordable and commonly used, rapamycin is a strong candidate for applications in this new system.

From Science Daily

"I don't have an issue with market-value rent, but it is not an affordable proposition," she said.

From BBC

Cyngor Gwynedd said it had received an application for the development of 15 affordable homes in Trefor, and that all comments and recommendations would be discussed at the planning meeting on 2 March.

From BBC

Many were buoyed by the postwar economic boom, access to affordable college educations and workplace pensions, and growth in the housing and stock markets, MarketWatch recently reported.

From MarketWatch

Experts stress that prevention is the most effective and affordable strategy to reduce cardiovascular disease.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• cheap
• economical