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

“Thousands of families are on these waiting lists trying to get access to affordable child care,” said Laura Pryor, research director at the California Budget & Policy Center.

From Los Angeles Times

North Yorkshire Council launched the programme to provide sustainable and affordable food in 2024, and it has since grown to include five schools.

From BBC

First and foremost, they expect elected officials to address urgent problems like rising prices and runaway healthcare costs, the lack of affordable housing, poverty and need.

From The Wall Street Journal

Top 40 programming pumped through AM radios in affordable cars helped midwife rock ’n’ roll: A new youth-driven pop culture, powered by television, teenage spending and a rapidly transforming media landscape.

From The Wall Street Journal

Taylor admitted the cost of paying for air fares and accommodation so often did add up, but said he did not drink or smoke and bought annual passes to make it more affordable.

From BBC

Related Words

• cheap
• economical