What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cost
Example
The cost of the new car was too high for me. [cost: noun]
Example
It will cost us a lot of money to renovate the house. [cost: verb]
expense
Example
I can't afford the expense of a luxury vacation this year. [expense: noun]
Example
The company reimbursed me for my travel expenses. [expense: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cost is more commonly used than expense in everyday language. Cost is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of contexts, while expense is more specific and tends to be used in the context of business or financial planning.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between cost and expense?
Both cost and expense are relatively formal words that are appropriate for use in professional or academic settings. However, cost is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
