ENGLISH
REFERENCE

expenses

n. C / U
B1 Intermediate US //ɪkˈspɛnsəz// UK //ɛkspˈɛnsɪz// ex·pens·es

n. the money you spend while doing your job or running a business. You can often get this money back from your employer if you show them your receipts.

n. costs incurred in the process of earning an income or performing a professional duty. Often used in the plural to refer to specific out-of-pocket costs that are reimbursable by an employer.


SIMPLE

I need to submit my travel expenses by Friday.

CONTEXTUAL

The company covers all reasonable expenses, including meals and hotel stays, during business trips.

COMPLEX

While the gross revenue appeared impressive, the high operating expenses associated with urban logistics meant the actual profit margin remained razor-thin for the first fiscal quarter.

Synonyms
Usage

Commonly used in the plural when referring to business costs; the singular form often refers to the general quality of being costly.

Pitfall

The company pays my spends.The company pays my expenses.Learners often use the verb 'spend' as a noun, but 'expenses' is the correct term for professional costs.

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