expense

The amount of money you spend or need to pay for something.

• The company paid my expenses.
• Our monthly expenses have increased.
• Can you cover the expense of the repairs?

How to use it: expense of doing something (We calculated the expense of moving house.)

Similar words: cost, expenditure

Common phrases: travel expense, total expense, cover the expense

Something you need to spend money on.

• Rent is our biggest expense.
• A second car would be an unnecessary expense.
• We cut out several small expenses.

Similar words: cost

Common phrases: major expense, unnecessary expense, household expense

Harm or loss that someone or something suffers while another person or thing benefits.

• They laughed at my expense.
• She worked longer hours at the expense of her family life.
• Profits rose at the expense of quality.

How to use it: at the expense of someone/something (He achieved success at the expense of his health.); at someone’s expense (The others made jokes at my expense.)

Similar words: detriment, cost

Common phrases: at someone’s expense, at the expense

The act of spending money or using up resources.

• They spared no expense.
• The wedding involved considerable expense.
• She went to great expense to decorate the hall.

How to use it: go to expense to do something (They went to considerable expense to restore the house.)

Similar words: spending, expenditure

Common phrases: great expense, spare no expense, considerable expense

To record a work cost so your employer pays it or pays you back.

• You can expense your train ticket.
• She expensed the hotel bill after her trip.
• Does your company let you expense client lunches?

Similar words: claim back, charge

Common phrases: expense a meal, expense business travel, expense something