sticker shock


noun
  1. unpleasant surprise on learning of an unexpectedly high price for an item.

Origin of sticker shock

1
sticker (price) + shock

Words Nearby sticker shock

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use sticker shock in a sentence

  • All women who take time off to mother their children face similar sticker-shock when they decide to work again.

    When Is It Sexism? | Elizabeth Wurtzel | January 3, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST