expensively
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɛkspˈɛnsɪvli/
US
- /ˌɛkˈspɛnsɪvli/
Description
- at high cost
- lavishly
- luxuriously
- extravagantly
- richly
If something is done expensively, it is done in a way that costs a lot of money. It often suggests luxury, comfort, or a taste for costly things. You might furnish a room expensively with designer furniture, or dine expensively at a five-star restaurant. The word often focuses on how something is done or arranged, not just on the final price.
Consider this: you can buy a simple meal cheaply, or you can dine expensively in an elegant setting with fine service. The difference is not just the food; it is the whole experience. A movie star might live expensively, with private jets and designer clothes, while someone else chooses to live more simply.
The word expensively is an adverb that describes how something is done, bought, arranged, or maintained at a high cost. It usually suggests that a lot of money is being spent, often on comfort, style, luxury, or things seen as high quality. For example: "The hotel was decorated expensively with antique furniture and original artwork." This suggests that the owners chose costly pieces rather than cheaper ones.
Expensively is not only about physical objects. You can also live expensively, meaning you have a way of life that needs a lot of money for travel, entertainment, dining, or housing. A person might also be educated expensively if large amounts of money are spent on private schools, tutors, or universities.
The context matters. Saying something "costs a lot" is a simple fact. Saying it is "done expensively" draws attention to the costly way it was done. Sometimes this suggests a wish to create a certain impression or enjoy a higher level of comfort, but not always. It can also carry a slight judgment, depending on the speaker.
Think about renovating a kitchen: you could do it cheaply with basic materials, or you could do it expensively with high-end appliances and custom cabinets. The choice reflects your priorities and budget. In many cases, expensively is not just about the money spent; it also suggests a certain style of spending and the kind of result that spending creates.
Examples
- 1
Furnishings
The apartment was expensively furnished, with leather sofas and a marble dining table.
- 2
Personal style
He dresses expensively, even when he's just meeting friends for coffee.
- 3
Home renovation
The house had been expensively renovated before it was put on the market.
- 4
Luxury marketing
Some brands market their products expensively to create a sense of luxury.
Pattern
market + product expensively
present and sell it in a high-cost, luxury way
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- expensivelyadverb