Definition of cheap

< ChE

cheapen >

cheap    (chp) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:
cheap·er, cheap·est

1. 1. Relatively low in cost; inexpensive or comparatively inexpensive.
   2. Charging low prices: a cheap restaurant.
2. 1. Obtainable at a low rate of interest. Used especially of money.
   2. Devalued, as in buying power: cheap dollars.
3. Achieved with little effort: a cheap victory; cheap laughs.
4. Of or considered of small value: in wartime, when life was cheap.
5. Of poor quality; inferior: a cheap toy.
6. Worthy of no respect; vulgar or contemptible: a cheap gangster.
7. Stingy; miserly.

ADVERB:
cheaper, cheapest

Inexpensively: got the new car cheap.

IDIOMS:
cheap at twice the price

Extremely inexpensive.

on the cheap

By inexpensive means; cheaply: traveled to Europe on the cheap.

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ETYMOLOGY:
From Middle English (god) chep, (good) price, purchase, bargain, from Old English cap, trade, from Latin caup, shopkeeper

OTHER FORMS:
cheaply(Adverb), cheapness(Noun)