bargain-basement

1 of 2

adjective

bar·​gain-base·​ment ˈbär-gən-ˈbās-mənt How to pronounce bargain-basement (audio)
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

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
At the same time, sellers have been reluctant to give up bargain-basement mortgage rates obtained before the Federal Reserve started raising borrowing costs in the winter of 2022 to control inflation. Jeff Collins, Orange County Register, 9 Oct. 2024 After Disney+ launched in 2019 at a bargain-basement price, the company put its efforts into producing dozens of shows specifically for the streamer, in an attempt to build subscriber interest and loyalty. Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
Noun
With hefty spending on TV ads as well across Facebook, the company promoted clothing, jewelry, home goods and electronics at bargain basement prices. Annie Palmer, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025 These bargain basement EVs will have an early start over Volkswagen’s contender in this category, the ID.1, not expected on dealer lots until 2027. Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Bargain-basement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bargain-basement. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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