What does cheapest mean?
"Cheapest" is the superlative form of the adjective "cheap," used to describe whatever costs the least among a set of options — the cheapest ticket, the cheapest supermarket, the cheapest way to travel. Beyond simple pricing, the word also conveys judgments of quality and character: goods described as cheap may be seen as flimsy or shoddy, and a person called cheap may be considered miserly. This dual nature gives "cheapest" a flexible register, appearing equally in everyday shopping decisions and in criticism of workmanship or behaviour. The word traces back through Middle English to Old English "cēap," meaning trade or purchase, which also survives in place names like Cheapside, once London's great market. Whether guiding a budget-conscious traveller or dismissing a cut-rate product, "cheapest" remains one of the most practical comparative words in English commerce.
adjectiveSuperlative form of "cheap": costing the least money compared with others; lowest in price. It can also describe something of the poorest quality or showing a lack of generosity or effort.
- Costing less than any other; having the lowest price.
- Of poor quality or low value; shoddy or inferior.
- (of a person's behaviour) Stingy, mean, or lacking in dignity or effort.
"This is the cheapest flight we could find to Lisbon."
"We booked the cheapest room in the hotel to save money."
"He took the cheapest shot of the game, fouling his opponent from behind."
"Cheap" comes from an Old English word for a marketplace — so calling something the "cheapest" originally meant it was bought at the best market bargain.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cheapest
"Cheapest" derives from "cheap," which comes from Old English "cēap," meaning purchase, trade, or bargain — itself borrowed from Latin "caupō" (small trader) via Germanic languages. In medieval England, "chepe" meant a marketplace, as preserved in London's Cheapside. The superlative suffix "-est" is a native Germanic ending, giving "cheapest" its modern form by Middle English times.
Related word forms
How cheapest is actually used
As the superlative of "cheap," "cheapest" carries both a neutral pricing sense and negative connotations of poor quality or stinginess. In informal American English, describing a person as "cheap" means unwilling to spend money, while in British English this sense exists but "stingy" is often preferred.
Easily confused with cheapest
"Cheeped" is the past tense of the verb "cheep," meaning made a short high-pitched bird sound, whereas "cheapest" is the superlative adjective meaning least expensive.