cheap
noun
low in cost or quality; also used to describe someone lacking generosity or value.
What Makes This Word Tick
Cheap describes something that costs little money or feels low in quality. It can also describe behavior that seems stingy or lacking generosity.
If Cheap Were a Person…
Cheap would carefully count every coin before spending it. They would prefer bargains and shortcuts whenever possible.
How This Word Has Changed Over Time
The word has long referred to low cost, but over time it also gained the meaning of inferior quality or lack of generosity.
Old Sayings and Proverbs
Ideas about cheapness often appear in sayings about value and quality.
Surprising Facts
Cheap can carry either positive or negative tone depending on context. A cheap deal may be good, but a cheap product may suggest poor quality.
Out and About With This Word
You’ll hear cheap in conversations about prices, shopping, and value comparisons.
Pop Culture Moments Where Cheap Was Used
Cheap often appears in humor and commentary about bargain hunting or low-quality goods.
The Word in Literature
Writers sometimes use cheap metaphorically to describe actions or gestures that feel insincere or lacking depth.
Moments in History with Cheap
The concept of cheap goods became especially important with mass production and consumer markets.
This Word Around the World
Many languages have everyday words describing low price or poor quality that overlap with cheap.
Where Does It Come From?
The inventory source does not clearly match the modern meaning of the word.
How People Misuse This Word
Sometimes cheap is used simply for affordable items, though it often implies poor quality depending on tone.
Words It’s Often Confused With
Cheap overlaps with inexpensive, though inexpensive does not carry the same negative suggestion of poor quality.
Additional Synonyms and Antonyms
Additional Synonyms: bargain, cut-rate, budget Additional Antonyms: costly, high-end, deluxe
Want to Try It Out in a Sentence?
"The cheaply made toy felt cheap, breaking after just a few uses."
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