French Conversation · Level 93
60 words
French word
coûteux
Pronunciation
IPA/kutø/
Meaning
- adjectiveexpensive
Example
Ce café est coûteux.
This cafe is expensive.
More examples
Le voyage a été coûteux mais magnifique.
The trip was expensive but magnificent.
Core concept
A purchase, project, or activity carrying a large financial burden from its price, upkeep, or execution.
Common phrases
trop coûteux
too expensive
projet coûteux
costly project
article coûteux
expensive item
Similar words
cher: Having a high price.
onéreux: Entailing high expenses or a substantial financial burden.
Definition in French
Qui a un prix ou un coût élevé, y compris les dépenses d'achat, d'entretien ou de réalisation.
Word origin
Coûteux derives from French coûter, from Old French coster and ultimately Latin constare, with -eux forming an adjective for something marked by a cost.
Usage tips
- Unlike cher, coûteux commonly highlights the substantial cost of carrying out or maintaining something, not only its purchase price.