'inexpensive' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'expensivus,' where 'in-' meant 'not' and 'expensivus' meant 'costly.'

'expensivus' transformed into the French word 'expensif,' and eventually became the modern English word 'expensive' with the prefix 'in-' added to denote the opposite meaning.

Initially, it meant 'not costly,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.