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cheap

cheap [ cheep ] (comparative cheap·er, superlative cheap·est)

adjective

Definition:

1. costing little: low in price or cost, or lower in price than might reasonably be expected

2. charging little: charging low prices but offering good value

3. poor quality: inexpensive and of poor quality

4. worth little: worth little or accorded little value

In times of war, life is cheap.

5. undeserving of respect: not deserving to be respected

6. unfair: dishonorable, offensive, or unfair, especially in a way that seems obvious or calculated

a cheap trick

7. stingy: stingy or unwilling to give freely

[ Old English cēap "trade" < Latin caupo "innkeeper"]

cheap adverb

cheap·ly adverb

cheap·ness noun

on the cheap at very low cost (informal)

Spelling Note


	cheap or cheep? Do not confuse the spelling of cheap and cheep, which sound similar. Cheap is an adjective meaning "costing, charging, or worth little," as in a cheap flight, a cheap restaurant, a cheap trick. Cheep is used as a noun and verb referring to the high shrill sound made by a young bird.

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