Cheapness

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈtʃiːpnəs/

Definitions

1. The state or quality of being low in cost or price ; the condition of having inferior quality or worth
2. The characteristic of something being inexpensive or budget-friendly ; the attribute of appearing poor in quality or unattractive
3. An attribute denoting affordability or bargain status ; a description of something considered to be poorly made or of little value

Etymology: "Cheapness" is a plain compound: the adjective "cheap" with the suffix "-ness", which turns an adjective into a noun for a quality. The suffix itself is old. It descends from Old English "-nes", which in turn comes from a Germanic element that forms abstract nouns from adjectives, and it was carried through Middle English "-nesse" into the modern form. Because it is so productive, English can attach it to almost any adjective, which is why "cheapness" needed no special coinage. The more striking part of the story lies in "cheap" itself. It comes from Old English "ceap", meaning a bargain, a trade, or a price, and in early use it did not mean inexpensive at all. A "good cheap" was a good bargain, and the phrase "good cheap" survived in English for centuries, as in "to buy good cheap." The adjective only gradually narrowed toward "low in price," and from there toward "of poor quality," which is why "cheapness" can imply shoddiness as well as low cost.

Synonyms: inexpensiveness, affordability, bargain, low cost, value

Antonyms: expensiveness, costliness, luxury, high price, premium