costly

[ kawst-lee, kost- ]

/ ˈkɔst li, ˈkɒst- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR costly ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, cost·li·er, cost·li·est.

costing much; expensive; high in price: a costly emerald bracelet; costly medical care.

resulting in great expense: The upkeep of such a large house is costly.

resulting in great detriment: It was a costly mistake because no one ever trusted him again.

of great value; very valuable; sumptuous.

lavish; extravagant.

Nearby words

Origin of costly

First recorded in 1350–1400, costly is from the Middle English word costli. See cost, -ly

SYNONYMS FOR costly

1. dear, high-priced. See expensive.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR costly ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formscost·li·ness, nouno·ver·cost·li·ness, nouno·ver·cost·ly, adjectiveun·cost·ly, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for costliest

Child care is probably the costliest part of having a severely disabled child.
The Cost of Raising a Special Needs Son|Elizabeth Picciuto|June 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If estimates come in at the higher end of the range, it could be the costliest since Hurricane Katrina.
As Much of New York and New Jersey Remain Paralyzed and Devastated, the Costs From Sandy Continue to Climb|Matthew Zeitlin|November 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The race features two mega-millionaires, in a contest that promises to be one of the costliest in American history.
A Candidate Shuns His Family Fortune|Samuel P. Jacobs|September 30, 2010|DAILY BEAST
But our employer-based system already delivers the costliest health care on the planet.
Will Business Kill Health Care?|Matt Miller|June 15, 2009|DAILY BEAST

Some of the biggest and costliest buildings in New York and Chicago are built on ground leases.
The City of Numbered Days|Francis Lynde
It is the stateliest and the costliest ever erected to the memory of any man.
The Letters Of Mark Twain, Volume 2, 1867-1875|Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
It was in this war, too, that the Mikado's soldiers strung the costliest of all telephone lines, at 203 Metre Hill.
The History of the Telephone|Herbert N. Casson
This gentleman is the costliest of guests in life, and we shall look very blank if we have nothing to set before him.
The Empress Frederick; a memoir|Anonymous
Whereas the fact is that a great many of the costliest gifts in this season do not count at all.
The Complete Essays of C. D. Warner|Charles Dudley Warner

British Dictionary definitions for costliest

costly

/ (ˈkɒstlɪ) /

adjective -lier or -liest

of great price or value; expensive

entailing great loss or sacrificea costly victory

splendid; lavish

Derived Formscostliness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for costliest

costly

adj.

late 14c., from cost + -ly (1). Earlier formation with the same sense were costful (mid-13c.), costious (mid-14c.).

costly

adjective, cost·li·er, cost·li·est.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of costly

Examples from the Web for costliest

costly

adjective -lier or -liest

costly