Words / B1

ik-SPENS/ɪkˈspens/

Expense is a cost: at great expense; travel expenses; at the expense of. Expensive is the adjective (already in the dictionary). Cost is everyday. Claim expenses with receipts. Do not mix with expanse (a wide area). Growth at the expense of staff rest is a useful essay pattern.

Meaning

The cost of something; also at the expense of (harming something else).

Examples

• “Travel expense claims need a receipt and a job code.”
• “They cut waiting times at the expense of staff breaks, which is the trade-off sense.”

Good to know

an expense; expenses (plural for claims). Phrase: at the expense of. Adjective: expensive. Mix-up: expanse. Work: expense claims.

Near in meaning

cost

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