# cheaply

/ˈtʃipɫi/ (US) · /tʃˈiːpli/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cheaply
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

at a low price or without spending much money. You use this when you buy something for less than the usual cost.

For teachers: at a low cost or for a small amount of money. Often implies poor quality or lack of value when used in a figurative sense.

## Examples

- I bought these shoes very cheaply at the market.
- The company managed to produce the new parts more cheaply by using recycled materials.
- While the equipment was acquired cheaply at an auction, the subsequent maintenance costs far exceeded the initial savings.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I bought it cheaplily" but "I bought it cheaply" — Learners sometimes try to add '-lily' to adjectives ending in 'y', but 'cheaply' is the correct adverbial form.

## Usage notes

- Typically placed after the verb or the direct object.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.