real cost

Cultural  

1. The cost of producing a good or service, including the cost of all resources used and the cost of not employing those resources in alternative uses.

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Example Sentences

"People have a very strong idea about how much things should cost in the restaurant industry, but they have absolutely no idea what the real cost is," Hivernat said.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

The real cost of Objection AI is not what it does.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2026

Read on: Here’s the real cost of economy airfare after all the fees.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

A 2025 survey of its members suggested the real cost of delivering a meal was approximately £3.45 - roughly 80p more than the £2.61 given to schools to fund free school meals in England.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

The real cost of the Nebraska trip, including airfare and fees for the festival, is about $1,500 per Truman student.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove