What does overpriced mean?
Overpriced describes something whose price is higher than seems fair or justified. It is more specific than simply calling something expensive: an item may cost a great deal and still be reasonably priced if its quality, rarity, or usefulness warrants the cost. The word commonly appears in discussion of restaurants, shops, tickets, property, luxury goods, and technology. Saying that something is overpriced conveys both an observation about price and an implicit criticism of value, but it does not necessarily mean that the item is poor or that nobody will buy it. In conversation, the expression can range from mild disapproval to a strong accusation of unfair pricing.
adjectiveCosting more than is considered fair, reasonable, or justified by its quality or value.
- Priced higher than is fair, reasonable, or justified by quality, usefulness, or market value.
"The restaurant was beautifully decorated, but the food felt overpriced."
"These designer shoes are overpriced for such simple designs."
"Tourists may find the souvenir shops in the historic district overpriced."
A product can be expensive without being overpriced; the key question is whether its price matches its value.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does overpriced come from?
“Overpriced” is formed from the prefix “over-” and the word “price,” indicating a price that exceeds what is expected or appropriate. “Price” comes through Old French from Latin pretium, meaning “price” or “value.” The prefixed form has long been used in English to describe excessive pricing, with modern usage especially common in consumer and commercial contexts.
Related word forms
How overpriced is actually used
Common in everyday British and American English. It often expresses criticism or a skeptical judgment about value, though it can also be used more lightly in informal conversation.
Easily confused with overpriced
“Expensive” means that something costs a lot, whereas “overpriced” specifically suggests that its price is higher than its worth or the market price.
“Premium-priced” describes goods sold at a higher price to suggest greater quality, while “overpriced” implies that the price is not justified.