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expense
/ɪkˈspɛns/
cost or money spent
The company's travel expenses were higher than expected this quarter.
The money spent on employee travel exceeded the budget.
formal
The cost required for something; the amount of money spent.
Household expenses include rent, utilities, and groceries.
Regular payments like rent and electricity are typical living expenses.
The project's total expenses amounted to $50,000.
The total money spent on the project reached $50,000.
Often used in business, accounting, and personal finance contexts.
formal
Something that requires spending money; a cost.
Buying a car is a major expense.
Purchasing a car involves a significant financial outlay.
Can refer to both necessary and discretionary spending.
Collocations
living expensesregular costs of daily lifetravel expensesmoney spent on business or personal traveloperating expensescosts required to run a businesscut expensesreduce spendingcover expensespay for costs
Pro Tip
Distinguish from 'cost' and 'price'
'Expense' refers to money spent by an individual or organization. 'Cost' can refer to money spent or non-financial sacrifices (e.g., 'the cost of time'). 'Price' refers to the amount charged for a product or service.
Gold Rule
Expense vs. Expense Account
An 'expense' is the money spent. An 'expense account' is a record of expenses, often used in business for reimbursement.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'expense' (meaning 'expenditure'), from Old French 'expense' (modern 'dépense'), from Latin 'expensa' (meaning 'expenditure'), neuter plural of 'expensus', past participle of 'expensere' (meaning 'to weigh out, pay out'), from 'ex-' (out) + 'pendere' (to weigh, pay).
Usage Notes
Expense typically refers to money spent, while 'cost' can also refer to non-financial sacrifices. 'Expenditure' is a more formal synonym often used in accounting.
Word Breakdown
ex-
out, away
prefix-pense
to weigh, pay
rootEnglish Dictionary