Expense
/ɪkˈspɛns/
Definitions
The money spent on something.
/ɪkˈspɛns/
A cost or charge.
The company's travel expenses were higher than expected.
💡 Simply: Imagine you go to the movies. The cost of the ticket, popcorn, and drinks is the expense! It's what you have to pay for something.
👶 For kids: When you buy something, the money you have to pay is called an expense!
More Examples
She carefully recorded all her expenses in a notebook.
Reducing monthly expenses is a primary goal for many families.
How It's Used
"Companies carefully track their expenses."
"Reducing your expenses can help you save money."
Idioms & expressions
at the expense of
With the loss or disadvantage of something or someone else.
"He advanced his career at the expense of his family life."
expense account
An account used by a business to record the expenses of employees, often for travel, meals, and entertainment.
"The sales rep submitted his expense account for reimbursement."
From Middle English expens, from Old French despense, from Latin expensa, feminine past participle of expendere ('to weigh out, pay out').
The word 'expense' has been used in a similar financial context since the 14th century, reflecting the long-standing importance of financial management.
Memory tip
Think of the money you spend as an 'expense'.