price gouging: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, journalistic, legal, economic
Quick answer
What does “price gouging” mean?
The practice of raising prices on goods or services to an unfair or exploitative level, typically during an emergency or when demand greatly exceeds supply.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The practice of raising prices on goods or services to an unfair or exploitative level, typically during an emergency or when demand greatly exceeds supply.
A pejorative term for charging excessively high prices, often considered unethical or illegal, particularly for essential items during crises, natural disasters, or market shortages. It implies taking advantage of consumers' urgent needs or desperate situations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in both varieties. Spelling follows the local convention: 'gouging' in both, but surrounding vocabulary may differ (e.g., 'petrol' vs. 'gasoline').
Connotations
Identically negative in both BrE and AmE. Associated with legal and consumer protection discourse.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in AmE media due to specific state laws against it, but common in UK reporting on crisis profiteering.
Grammar
How to Use “price gouging” in a Sentence
[Subject] engaged in price gouging.Price gouging [occurred/during EVENT].There were accusations of price gouging against [Entity].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “price gouging” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Some shops were gouging prices on bottled water during the flood scare.
- The supplier gouged the price of spare parts after the factory fire.
American English
- That gas station is gouging customers after the hurricane.
- They gouged prices on face masks during the outbreak.
adverb
British English
- He priced the generators gougingly during the storm.
American English
- The hotel rooms were sold gougingly after the festival.
adjective
British English
- Gouging retailers faced public outcry.
- The gouging practices were investigated.
American English
- Price-gouging landlords were fined.
- The state has anti-gouging laws.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Criticized as an unethical and potentially illegal practice that harms brand reputation and consumer trust.
Academic
Studied in economics, law, and ethics regarding market failures, consumer protection, and crisis management.
Everyday
Used by consumers complaining about sudden, unfair price hikes on essentials like fuel, food, or medicine.
Technical
Defined specifically in many jurisdictions' statutes with precise criteria (e.g., percentage increase thresholds during declared emergencies).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “price gouging”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “price gouging”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “price gouging”
- Using it to describe any price increase (it must be unfair/exploitative).
- Confusing it with 'price fixing' (which involves collusion between competitors).
- Misspelling 'gouging' (e.g., 'gouging', 'gouging').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it depends on local laws. Many jurisdictions have specific statutes that define and prohibit it, especially during declared states of emergency. Otherwise, it may be unethical but not illegal.
Price gouging involves exploiting an inelastic demand during a crisis or shortage, often for essential goods. Normal market increases are gradual and tied to costs, competition, or general demand shifts without exploiting desperation.
Yes, absolutely. Online marketplaces are common venues for price gouging, especially for high-demand goods, and many platforms have policies to prevent it.
Yes. It can apply to services like emergency repairs, towing, hotel accommodations, and transportation when their prices are raised exploitively during a crisis.
The practice of raising prices on goods or services to an unfair or exploitative level, typically during an emergency or when demand greatly exceeds supply.
Price gouging is usually formal, journalistic, legal, economic in register.
Price gouging: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpraɪs ˌɡaʊdʒɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpraɪs ˌɡaʊdʒɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GOUGE as a deep cut or wound. Price gouging 'cuts deep' into your wallet unfairly.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMERCE IS WAR / EXPLOITATION IS A PHYSICAL WOUND. Sellers are depicted as violently attacking consumers' finances.
Practice
Quiz
In which situation is 'price gouging' MOST likely to be legally pursued?