Pricy or Pricey: Which Spelling Is Correct?
That pair of sneakers costs a fortune, but how do you spell the word for it? You will see pricey in most dictionaries, pricy on sale flyers and price tags, and autocorrect seems to have opinions about both. The calm truth: both spellings are correct, but one of them is the safer choice. This guide settles the spelling, shows you when each form appears, covers the tricky exceptions, and hands you a memory trick you will keep. Find more plain-English spelling guides on the KnowsVista homepage.
⚡ Quick answer
Use pricey, it is the standard, preferred spelling: That restaurant is too pricey for me. Pricy is also an accepted spelling of the same word, but it can look like a typo to some readers. When in doubt, keep the e.
🧠 Memory trick: The price tag keeps all its letters, so pricey keeps the e, price + y, no letters dropped. Pay the extra e, because pricey costs more.
When to use pricey
Write pricey with the e in all of your writing, formal or casual. It is the spelling dictionaries list first, the one taught to learners, and the one editors expect. It is the safe default in essays, work emails, product descriptions, and anywhere your spelling will be judged.
- The repair was pricey, but the car runs like new now.
- College textbooks are pricey every single semester.
- We skipped the pricey waterfront hotel and booked a guesthouse.
- A pricey gym membership means nothing if you never go.
When to use pricy
Write pricy only when you have a reason to prefer the older spelling, for example, when matching house style, quoting a source that uses it, or in playful casual writing. It is not wrong, but many readers (and spellcheckers) will treat it as a mistake, so it costs you confidence without adding meaning.
- The shop’s sign advertised “everything not too pricy.”
- Quoting the review: “A pricy but worth-it dessert menu.”
- Some style guides still list pricy as an accepted variant.
- Older books and newspapers used pricy more often.
The tricky exceptions
The older spelling lost, and dictionaries show it
Here is the twist: pricy is the older spelling, dating back to the early 1800s. It follows the classic drop-the-e-and-add-y rule, the same pattern that turns spice into spicy. Pricey came along much later, first recorded in the 1930s, yet it won the popularity contest. Cambridge Dictionary’s entry for the word now lists pricey as the headword with “(also pricy)” beside it, a clear signal of which spelling leads. When a dictionary lists one spelling first, that is the one to learn.
- pricey, dictionary headword, taught to learners, default choice.
- pricy, listed as “also,” fine but secondary.
The comparatives follow the older pattern
Even when you write pricey, its comparative and superlative keep the older pattern: pricier and priciest, with the e dropped. Do not write “priceier” or “priceest”, those forms are not standard. Also note there is no price-ly; the rare adverb form is pricily.
- The first laptop was expensive, but the second was pricier.
- Of all three hotels, the downtown one was the priciest.
Pricy vs pricey at a glance
| Pricey | Pricy | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Standard, preferred spelling | Accepted variant spelling |
| History | Newer, first recorded ~1930s | Older, dates to the early 1800s |
| Example | That jacket is too pricey. | That jacket is too pricy. |
| Trick | The price tag keeps all its letters, keep the e | Looks like the word skipped paying for one |
Quick practice
Fill in the blank with pricey or pricy:
- In a formal report, you should write __________.
- The café had __________ coffee, so we made our own at home.
- The vintage camera was beautiful but far too __________ for my budget.
Answer key:
- 1. pricey (formal writing needs the standard spelling)
- 2. pricey (the default, safest choice)
- 3. pricey (standard spelling; “pricy” would also be accepted)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “pricy” a misspelling?
No. Pricy is a legitimate variant spelling, and it is actually the older one. It just reads as less standard today, so some readers and spellcheckers may flag it. If that worries you, use pricey.
Which spelling do teachers prefer?
Teachers and editors prefer pricey. It is the dictionary headword, the spelling taught to learners, and the form that never gets questioned. For school essays and exams, pricey is the only choice that matters.
What is the comparative form of pricey?
Pricier and priciest, the e is dropped, following the older pricy pattern. So you write pricey but say pricier: “The new model is pricey, but the Pro is even pricier.”
Final thoughts
The pricy or pricey question has no villain, both spellings are correct, and the difference is polish, not error. Default to pricey with the e in everything you write, and remember that even pricey turns into pricier and priciest when you compare. Pick one spelling per document and stay consistent. For another lesson on spellings that split into two camps, see lite or light, and run your draft through the free spelling checker before you hit publish.
