bargain-basement

1 of 2

adjective

bar·​gain-base·​ment ˈbär-gən-ˈbās-mənt How to pronounce bargain-basement (audio)
Synonyms of bargain-basementnext
1
: of inferior quality or worth
2
: markedly inexpensive
bargain-basement rates

bargain basement

2 of 2

noun

: a section of a store (such as the basement) where merchandise is sold at reduced prices

Synonyms of bargain-basement

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Adjective

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Examples of bargain-basement in a Sentence

Adjective throughout the trip we ate at bargain-basement restaurants in order to save money bargain-basement shoes that fell apart after a week
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Soon, the proud agricultural families are forced to migrate and sell their land at bargain-basement prices. — Alissa Simon, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026 The weakness has also unleashed a wave of loan defaults and foreclosures, along with bargain-basement prices. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 2 Jan. 2026
Noun
The special effects are bargain basement. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025 Warners’ once bargain basement stock price has doubled since then, with shares hitting a three-year high Tuesday, rising 11%. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bargain-basement

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bargain-basement was in 1899

Rhymes for bargain-basement

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Browse Nearby Words

bargain away
bargain-basement
bargain basement
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bargain-basement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bargain-basement. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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