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

Because of this, dietary approaches could provide a safer and more affordable way to reduce the severity or likelihood of infection, especially in vulnerable populations.

From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026

To make life affordable for working Americans — especially in challenging times like these — we need to raise them.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

The rule was part of legislation designed to strengthen measures trying to tackle an affordable housing shortage in parts of Wales popular with tourists and second home owners.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Apple launched the MacBook Neo at $599, an affordable price point that contrasts with competitors raising prices on comparable products.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

Electronic computers were rare jewels, their million-dollar-plus price tags affordable only by large research universities and government institutions.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Related Words

• cheap
• economical