expense
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /ɪkˈspɛns/
KK: /ɪkˈspɛns/
noun
Definition
The amount of money that is spent on something, or the cost of something.
Example
The expense of the new equipment was higher than we expected.
Conversation
Have you thought about the expense of our trip next month?
Yeah, I have to make sure I save enough money for it.
I hope the expense will be worth all the fun we’ll have.
Absolutely! It'll be an adventure we won't forget.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
cost
outlay
expenditure
Antonyms
income
profit
gain
transitive verb
Definition
To spend money or resources on something, often for business purposes.
Example
The company decided to expense the cost of the new equipment.
Tense Forms
Past: expensed
Past Participle: expensed
Conversation
I need to expense my travel costs for the conference.
Oh, that’s important! Did you keep all the receipts?
Yes, I did! I want to make sure I can expense everything properly.
Root Explanation
Expense → It is formed from "ex-" (meaning out of) and "pendere" (meaning to weigh or to hang). The word refers to the act of weighing out or spending money, as in the cost of something that goes out.
Memory Tip
Think of money going 'out' ('ex-') and being 'weighed' ('pendere') when you spend it — that's why expense means the cost of something.
Visually Confused Words
extense
expanse
prepense