Word
unaffordable
Phoneticsun·af·ford·able
US/ənəˈfɔɹdəbəɫ/
UK/ʌnɐfˈɔːdəbəl/
Definition
adj. too expensive for you to buy or pay for without real difficulty.
adj. beyond the financial means of an average person or household to buy or sustain. Typically describes housing, childcare, healthcare, or other major costs.
Examples
“This flat is unaffordable for most young families.”
“Rents in the city centre have become unaffordable for nurses and teachers on average salaries.”
“What was once modest family housing near the coast is now largely unaffordable, driven by investor demand and limited new supply.”
Examples
simple
“This flat is unaffordable for most young families.”
contextual
“Rents in the city centre have become unaffordable for nurses and teachers on average salaries.”
complex
“What was once modest family housing near the coast is now largely unaffordable, driven by investor demand and limited new supply.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “unaffordable” in context.
Verb
01. become unaffordable
“Heating costs became unaffordable for pensioners last winter.”
verb + adj
02. consider unaffordable
“Most students consider city rents unaffordable without a part-time job.”
verb + adj
03. make unaffordable
“High interest rates make mortgages unaffordable for first-time buyers.”
verb + adj
04. remain unaffordable
“Despite new policies, childcare remains unaffordable for many parents.”
verb + adj
Adjective
05. completely unaffordable
“Private healthcare is completely unaffordable for many families here.”
adv + adj
06. increasingly unaffordable
“Rent in the capital has become increasingly unaffordable for young workers.”
adv + adj
07. largely unaffordable
“City-centre flats remain largely unaffordable on an average salary.”
adv + adj
Noun
08. unaffordable childcare
“Unaffordable childcare forces many parents to reduce working hours.”
adj + noun
09. become increasingly unaffordable
“Living in the city centre has become increasingly unaffordable.”
10. find childcare unaffordable
“Many working parents find childcare unaffordable without support.”
11. make city living unaffordable
“Soaring rents make city living unaffordable for graduates.”
12. remain unaffordable for many
“Even basic flats remain unaffordable for many young couples.”
Usage
Typically placed before a noun or after a linking verb such as 'be', 'seem' or 'become'.
Real-World Examples
“It's not easy to just find a cheaper apartment when every apartment or every home in your area is the same unaffordable price," she said.” “Portugal faces one of Europe's worst housing crises, with rents for new leases nearly doubling since 2017 and becoming unaffordable for many households.” “There are not enough homes on the market and those that are listed are at mostly unaffordable levels," said Christopher Rupkey, chief economist at FWDBONDS.” “The tax breaks have long been blamed for skewing house ownership heavily to older, wealthier Australians who parked their savings in investment homes, pushing up prices to unaffordable levels for younger buyers.” Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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