What does pricier mean?
“Pricier” is the comparative form of the adjective “pricey,” meaning “more expensive” or “having a higher price.” It naturally appears when two options, products, services, or periods are compared: “The deluxe version is pricier but lasts longer.” Its connotations are largely neutral, though “pricier” often has an everyday, conversational tone; in formal business, legal, or academic prose, “more expensive” may sound clearer and more polished. The word does more than report a numerical fact. It can imply a choice, a trade-off, or even criticism, especially when the higher cost seems difficult to justify. “Pricier” is useful because it enables quick comparison without requiring a full clause. It should not be confused with “pricer,” a noun denoting a person or system that assigns prices. The word is used in both British and American English, and the related spelling “pricy” is also accepted.
adjectiveThe comparative of “pricey”; meaning more expensive or having a higher price.
- More expensive; having a higher price than something else.
"The deluxe model is pricier, but it offers several useful features."
"Rents in the city centre have become considerably pricier over the past decade."
"The extended warranty is the pricier choice, but it covers more repairs."
Pricier is the comparative of pricey, with the final “y” changing to “i” before the comparative suffix.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of pricier
“Pricier” is formed from “pricey” with the comparative suffix “-ier,” with the final “y” changing to “i.” “Pricey,” in turn, was formed from “price” with the adjectival suffix “-y,” while “pricy” is a variant spelling. “Price” was borrowed into Middle English from Old French “pris,” from Latin “pretium,” meaning “price” or “payment”; related Latin forms appear in English words such as “precious” and “depreciate.”
Related word forms
How pricier is actually used
The word is standard in everyday and commercial English, although it often has a conversational tone. In formal or highly technical prose, “more expensive” may be clearer and more polished. As a comparative, it is normally used with “than” or in a comparison between two things; “most expensive” is used for the superlative.
Easily confused with pricier
“Pricier” normally means “more expensive,” whereas a “pricer” is a person or system that sets or calculates prices.