bargain basement

¹ American  

noun

1. a basement area in some stores where goods are sold at prices lower than usual.

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bargain-basement ² American  

[bahr-guhn-beys-muhnt] / ˈbɑr gənˌbeɪs mənt /

adjective

1. very low-priced.

2. noticeably lacking in quality; inferior.

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bargain basement British  

noun

1. part of a shop where goods are sold at reduced prices

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Etymology

Origin of bargain basement¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Origin of bargain-basement²

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

You got on the property ladder at a bargain basement price, and doubled down on that cost effectiveness by building a house.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 10, 2026

He also looks for managers who deliver higher returns on equity rather than shopping in the bargain basement for the biggest discounts.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

Those bargain basement deals are squeezing profit margins, though the company remains profitable and still sells more EVs than other automakers.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2024

The scale of Everton's financial mismanagement over recent years means they are scraping around in the bargain basement.

From BBC • Aug. 9, 2023

With my messy ponytails and dress from the bargain basement, I feel like the fairy tale’s ragged girl with the basket of onions when I’m around Miss Mademoiselle Danielle.

From "Lucky Broken Girl" by Ruth Behar

Related Words

• competitive
• economical
• low-cost
• low-priced
• reasonable