C1adjectiveformalmoney
US/prəˈhɪb.ə.tɪv/
UK/prəˈhɪb.ɪ.tɪv/
so expensive that most people cannot pay for it; also stopping something from happening
In context
The cost of housing in the city center is prohibitive for young families.
Many students drop out because of prohibitive tuition fees.
For small firms, the price of the new software is simply prohibitive.
Words that go with prohibitive
adjective + noun
- prohibitive costThe prohibitive cost of the treatment means few patients can get it.
- prohibitive priceFresh cherries are sold at a prohibitive price here.
- prohibitive tariffsProhibitive tariffs have kept foreign cars out of the market.
- prohibitive feesThe bank charges prohibitive fees for international transfers.
adverb + adjective
- prohibitively expensiveFlights at Tet can be prohibitively expensive.
- simply prohibitiveRenting an office downtown is simply prohibitive for a start-up.