FluencyCraft

price

"Price" is a very common English word with a few closely related but distinct meanings. It works as both a noun and a verb, and it also has a powerful figurative use that you will encounter often in everyday speech and writing.

1nouncost of something

This is the most common meaning. The price of something is the amount of money you need to pay to buy it. Think of the tag on a shirt in a shop that number is the price.

everyday language, shopping, business · Modern, widely used

The price of this laptop is $800.

She checked the price before adding the item to her cart.

2nounfigurativecost or consequence of something non-material

Sometimes 'price' does not mean money at all. It means the negative consequence or sacrifice you have to accept in order to get something. For example, if you work very hard to become famous, but you lose your privacy, that loss of privacy is the 'price' of fame.

everyday language, literature · Modern, widely used · figurative

Loneliness is often the price of living far from your family.

He achieved great success, but the price was his health.

Freedom sometimes comes at a heavy price.

3verbto set or decide the cost of something

When a business or seller decides how much something will cost, they are 'pricing' it. You can also say something is 'priced at' a certain amount.

business, retail · Modern, widely used

The manager priced the new shoes at $120.

The tickets are priced differently depending on where you sit.

4verbto find out the cost of something

You can also use 'price' to mean checking or researching how much something costs like going around comparing prices before you buy.

everyday language, shopping · Modern, widely used

I need to price a few options before I make a decision.

Content generated by AI — may contain inaccuracies