Prohibitively is a word that can be difficult to spell without proper guidance. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /prəˈhɪbɪtɪvli/. The word is pronounced as "pruh-HIB-i-tiv-lee," with the stress on the second syllable. The spelling of this word is based on the root word, prohibit, which means to forbid or to prevent something from happening. The suffix "-ive" is added to form an adjective that describes how something is done or carries out. Adding the suffix "-ly" turns the adjective into an adverb form.
Prohibitively is an adverb that is derived from the word "prohibit" and is used to describe something that is extremely or excessively expensive, costly, or unaffordable. It refers to the idea that the price or cost of an item or service is so high that it poses a significant barrier, preventing many people from being able to afford or access it.
When something is prohibitively expensive, it means that the price is beyond what is considered reasonable or attainable by most individuals or groups. It implies that the cost is so exorbitant that it deters or discourages potential buyers or users from pursuing or obtaining the particular item or service. This term is frequently used in discussions related to pricing, economics, and accessibility.
For example, if a luxury car is described as being prohibitively expensive, it indicates that the price of the vehicle is so incredibly high that it is out of reach for the majority of consumers. Similarly, if a medication is labeled as prohibitively expensive, it suggests that the cost is so unreasonably high that it prevents many individuals from being able to afford or obtain the necessary treatment.
Overall, the term prohibitively serves to emphasize the excessive or unattainable nature of the price or cost of something, highlighting the significant obstacles it presents in terms of affordability or accessibility.
The word "prohibitively" is derived from the base word "prohibit", which originated from the Latin word "prohibere". "Prohibere" is a combination of the prefix "pro-" meaning "forward" or "in front of", and the verb "habere" meaning "to have" or "to hold". Thus, "prohibit" initially meant "to hold or keep someone or something in front of or back from doing something". Over time, this meaning evolved to "forbid" or "prevent". The suffix "-ively" is added to "prohibit" to form the adverb "prohibitively", indicating that something is done in a manner that prohibits or hinders.