price

 
Pronunciation: /prʌɪs/

noun

  • 1the amount of money expected, required, or given in payment for something: land could be sold for a high price house prices have fallen [mass noun]: large cars are dropping in price
  • the odds in betting.
  • [mass noun] archaic value; worth: the parable of the pearl of great price
  • 2an unwelcome experience or action undergone or done as a condition of achieving an objective: the price of their success was an entire day spent in discussion

verb

[with object]
  • 1decide the amount required as payment for (something offered for sale): the watches are priced at £55
  • attach price labels or tickets to (an item for sale).
  • 2discover or establish the price of (something for sale).

Phrases

at any price

no matter what expense or difficulty is involved: they wanted peace at any price

at a price

requiring great expense or involving unwelcome consequences: his generosity comes at a price

beyond (or without) price

so valuable that no price can be stated: the memories they shared were beyond price

a price on someone's head

a reward offered for someone’s capture or death: he had to flee with a price on his head

price oneself out of the market

become unable to compete commercially: as supermodels price themselves out of the market, actresses are ready to negotiate terms

put a price on

determine the value of: you can’t put a price on what she has to offer

what price ——?

  • 1used to ask what has become of something or to suggest that something has or would become worthless: what price justice if he were allowed to go free?
  • 2used to state that something seems unlikely: what price cricket at the Olympics?

Derivatives

pricer

noun

Origin:

Middle English: the noun from Old French pris, from Latin pretium 'value, reward'; the verb, a variant (by assimilation to the noun) of earlier prise 'estimate the value of' (see prize1). Compare with praise