pricey
Americanadjective
adjective
Usage
What does pricey mean? Pricey describes something that is expensive or unreasonably expensive, as in Talya wanted to go on the world cruise, but the tickets were so pricey. Pricey is a highly subjective description, because everyone’s budget is different and everyone’s opinion about what an acceptable price is for a product or service varies. You’ll use pricey most often when you think the cost of something is much higher than you want to pay, whether or not a majority of people think that same item is pricey. You might also use pricey to describe something that is more expensive than others like it but that provides a higher value or quality in return. In this case, pricey would be an acceptable quality. Example: The hotel was a bit pricey, but we had a good time.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of pricey
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.
Just be cautious, she said, or consult a professional about whether the conversions would be still subject to the pricey “kiddie tax,” which applies to children and full-time students ages 23 and under.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 26, 2026
After the show was initially taken off air, local media reported that staff at ARN had celebrated the show's demise, as the pricey contracts for its stars had led to other experienced staff being fired.
From BBC • Jun. 17, 2026
Those who have yet to get their hands on the cakes, or deem them too pricey, have resorted to making them at home.
From Salon • Jun. 14, 2026
Despite anxiety about pricey tickets leading to unsold seats, the room was announced as full at 70,492.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026
“Third do-over will be the charm. Nothing too pricey next time, okay?”
From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
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.
