at a premium

Idioms  

1. At a higher price than usual owing to scarcity; also, considered more valuable, held in high esteem. For example, Since that article came out, the firm's stock has been selling at a premium and Space is at a premium in most stores. This idiom uses premium in the sense of “bounty” or “bonus.” [Mid-1800s] Also see put a premium on.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

at a premium

The old adage used to be that English players came at a premium.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

Data centers need large amounts of power around the clock, so reliable generation is at a premium.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

Certificates of origin allow farmers to sell at a premium, but they come with strict regulations governing the location and method of production.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

The Comex one-month futures contract trades at a premium to that at $6.75/lb, notes Price while the Shanghai Futures Exchange is higher still at $16,110/t or $7.30/lb.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

There is also the problem that access to telescopes is always at a premium and historically measuring red shifts has been notably costly in telescope time.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• costly
• extravagant
• fancy
• high
• lavish
• overpriced
• pricey
• upscale
• valuable