B1nounmoney
US/ɪkˈspens/
UK/ɪkˈspens/
money that you spend on something; expenses are costs your employer may pay back
In context
Rent is our biggest monthly expense, followed by food and school fees.
The company covers all travel expenses when staff visit clients abroad.
They renovated the whole house at great expense, then sold it a year later.
Words that go with expense
noun + noun
- travel expensesKeep your receipts so you can claim travel expenses later.
noun + preposition
- at the expense ofSome factories grow at the expense of the environment.
verb + noun
- cover the expenseWho will cover the expense of the new office furniture?
- claim expensesStaff can claim expenses for taxis after ten at night.
adjective + noun
- living expensesLiving expenses in Hồ Chí Minh City have risen quickly.
- great expenseThe hospital bought the machine at great expense.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
The expense of this phone is too high.Correct: The price of this phone is too high.