expense

word

/ɪkˈspɛns/
ik-SPENS
/ɛkspˈɛns/
ik-SPENS

Definition

An expense is money that you spend, or a cost that you must pay for something. It is often used for business, travel, household, and daily costs.

Usage & Nuances

Often used as a countable noun in phrases like 'an expense' and as an uncountable noun in 'travel expense' or 'at my expense'. Common collocations: 'business expenses', 'living expenses', 'claim expenses', 'cut expenses'. Do not confuse it with 'price': 'price' is what something costs to buy, while 'expense' is money spent or a cost you bear.

Example Sentences

Food is our biggest expense each month.

basic

The repairs were done at my expense, so I kept all the receipts.

natural

The hotel expense was higher than we expected.

basic

You can write this expense in the report.

basic

We had to cut a few expenses after rent went up.

natural

Can I claim this taxi fare as a work expense?

natural