big-ticket

adjective

big-tick·​et ˈbig-ˈti-kət 

1

: having a high price

the car was a big-ticket item

2

: having great importance or prominence : major

The founders had hoped to address three big-ticket issues: the environment, nuclear weapons, and Middle East peace.

—David Corn

Synonyms

• costly
• dear
• expensive
• extravagant
• high
• high-end
• high-ticket
• precious
• premium
• priceless
• pricey
• pricy
• spendy [chiefly Northwest]
• ultraexpensive
• valuable

Examples of big-ticket in a Sentence

with the tough economy, fewer people are likely to be making big-ticket purchases

Recent Examples on the Web

Big Slick veterans also have come to expect big-ticket auction items to bid on, and Big Slick organizers have definitely upped the ante this year. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2024

With a runoff date so long after the primary and no big-ticket races on the ballot, turnout is likely to be low. —Caroline Linton, CBS News, 28 May 2024

And don’t forget, Amazon Prime subscribers get fast and free shipping, even on big-ticket purchases. —Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 23 May 2024

From everyday essentials like bottles, onesies, and baby monitors to big-ticket items like strollers, car seats, and cribs, Amazon’s Memorial Day Sale has many of the best parenting deals right now. —Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 22 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined at sense 1