15 Other Ways to Say It’s Expensive in English

There are many other ways to say It’s Expensive in English. Adding all of them to your vocabulary will help you sound more like a native English speakers in your everyday conversations.

English speakers have a rich vocabulary for expressing the high cost of items, experiences, or services. By expanding your repertoire of expressions, you can add nuance and variety to your conversations about expensive things. Let’s dive into these alternative phrases for saying “It’s expensive”!

1. Luxurious

Luxurious refers to something that is elegant, high-quality, and often associated with a high price. English speakers use this word to describe items or experiences that are expensive but offer exceptional quality or opulence.

Example sentences with “luxurious”:

• She enjoys staying at luxurious hotels during her vacations.
• He bought a luxurious sports car as a symbol of his success.

2. Pricey

If something is pricey, it means that it is costly or carries a high price tag. English speakers often use this term to indicate that an item or service is expensive.

Example sentences with “pricey”:

• I checked out that boutique, but their clothes are always so pricey.
• The restaurant downtown is known for its delicious food, but it’s pretty pricey.

3. Costs a Fortune

The phrase “costs a fortune” emphasizes that something is very expensive and requires a significant amount of money to obtain. It suggests the price is exorbitant or beyond what most people can afford.

Example sentences with “costs a fortune”:

• The new luxury yacht costs a fortune to purchase and maintain.
• College tuition these days can cost a fortune.

4. High-Priced

High-priced is a straightforward expression used to describe something that has a high price. English speakers use this term when they want to convey the idea of something being expensive without adding additional nuances.

Example sentences with “high-priced”:

• The high-priced designer handbags are highly sought after by fashion enthusiasts.
• He bought a high-priced piece of artwork to decorate his living room.

5. Ridiculously Expensive

When something is ridiculously expensive, it means that the price is so exorbitant that it seems absurd or unreasonable. English speakers use this phrase to emphasize the extreme level of expense.

Example sentences with “ridiculously expensive”:

• The price of that luxury watch is ridiculously expensive; I can’t believe anyone would spend that much on a timepiece.
• The five-star hotel in the city center is beautiful, but the rates are ridiculously expensive.

6. Carries a Hefty Price Tag

If something carries a hefty price tag, it means that it has a significant and often burdensome cost. English speakers use this expression to convey that the price is substantial and requires a considerable investment.

Example sentences with “carries a hefty price tag”:

• The new smartphone model carries a hefty price tag due to its advanced features.
• Renovating the entire house carries a hefty price tag, but it’s worth it for the desired changes.

7. Bank-Breaking

Bank-breaking refers to something that is extremely expensive and can potentially deplete one’s financial resources. English speakers use this term to convey that the cost is so high that it can significantly impact one’s bank account.

Example sentences with “bank-breaking”:

• The luxury vacation package is absolutely bank-breaking, but it promises an unforgettable experience.
• The repairs on the vintage car turned out to be bank-breaking, but he couldn’t resist restoring it.

8. Costs an Arm and a Leg

The expression “costs an arm and a leg” is used to emphasize that something is extremely expensive. This phrase suggests that the price is so high that it feels like you are sacrificing a significant amount to afford it.

Example sentences with “costs an arm and a leg”:

• The designer handbag she wanted costs an arm and a leg, so she decided to save up for it.
• The repairs on his car after the accident ended up costing him an arm and a leg.

9. Pricey as Hell

“Pricey as hell” is a colloquial expression used to describe something that is extremely expensive. It adds emphasis by using the intensifier “as hell” to highlight the high cost.

Example sentences with “pricey as hell”:

• I love their desserts, but their cakes are pricey as hell.
• The tickets for the concert were pricey as hell, but the show was amazing.

10. Steep

When something is steep, it means that it has a high price or cost, often beyond what is considered reasonable or affordable. English speakers use this term to describe expenses that are noticeably high.

Example sentences with “steep”:

• The rent for apartments in the city center can be quite steep.
• The price of organic produce at that grocery store is steep compared to other places.

11. Astronomical

Astronomical describes something as being incredibly high or vast in terms of cost. English speakers use this word to convey the idea of a price that is astronomical, suggesting it is on an astronomical scale or beyond ordinary limits.

Example sentences with “astronomical”:

• The price of the luxury villa with a seaside view was astronomical.
• The cost of medical treatments in some countries can be astronomical.

12. Costs an Arm and a Leg

Similar to the expression mentioned earlier, “costs an arm and a leg” is used to emphasize that something is extremely expensive. It suggests that the price is so high that it feels like you are sacrificing a significant amount to afford it.

Example sentences with “costs an arm and a leg”:

• The designer handbag she wanted costs an arm and a leg, so she decided to save up for it.
• The repairs on his car after the accident ended up costing him an arm and a leg.

13. Bank-Draining

Bank-draining refers to something that significantly depletes one’s bank account or financial resources. English speakers use this expression to convey that the cost is so high that it can put a strain on their finances.

Example sentences with “bank-draining”:

• The cost of tuition at that prestigious university is bank-draining for most students.
• The expenses associated with maintaining a luxury yacht can be bank-draining.

14. Exorbitant

Exorbitant describes something as being unreasonably high or excessive in price. English speakers use this term to convey the idea of a price that goes far beyond what is considered reasonable.

Example sentences with “exorbitant”:

• The price of the concert tickets was exorbitant, considering it was a small local band.
• The fees for that exclusive club are exorbitant, but some people are willing to pay for the exclusivity.

15. Top-Tier in Price

If something is top-tier in price, it means it belongs to the highest and most expensive category. English speakers use this expression to indicate that the price of the item or service is at the top level of the pricing scale.

Example sentences with “top-tier in price”:

• The jewelry store is known for its top-tier in price diamond collection.
• The five-star resort offers top-tier in price accommodations and services.

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There are plenty of other ways to say It’s Expensive in English. By expanding your vocabulary to include these phrases, you can add variety and nuance to your conversations about expensive things.

Whether you describe something as luxurious, pricey, bank-breaking, or any of the other expressions we discussed, you’ll be able to convey the idea of high cost with precision. So, go ahead and enhance your language skills by incorporating these alternatives into your daily conversations!