costly

[ kawst-lee, kost- ]

/ ˈkɔst li, ˈkɒst- /

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See synonyms for: costly / costlier / costliest / costliness 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR costly

1 dear, high-priced.

See synonyms for costly on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of costly

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

synonym study for costly

1. See expensive.

OTHER WORDS FROM costly

cost·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. 2023

How to use costly in a sentence

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

She wore a dress of the rarest and costliest cream-white lace over a robe of cream-colored satin.
A Dreadful Temptation|Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller
Afterward, Mr. Derby built the handsomest and costliest house in Salem, with grounds laid out magnificently.
A Little Girl in Old Salem|Amanda Minnie Douglas
Ladies appeared in the costliest brocades, laces, and jewels which the Old World could provide.
From Farm House to the White House|William M. Thayer
The German advance which ended in this debacle has been the costliest defeat in point of materials which they have yet suffered.
The New York Times Current History of the European War, Vol 1, Issue 4, January 23, 1915|Various
The binding of a book was, of old, a shrine on which the finest workmanship in bullion and the costliest gems were lavished.
The Book-Hunter|John Hill Burton

British Dictionary definitions for costly

costly

/ (ˈkɒstlɪ) /

adjective -lier or -liest

of great price or value; expensive

entailing great loss or sacrificea costly victory

splendid; lavish

Derived forms of costly

costliness, 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

costly

OTHER WORDS FOR costly

Origin of costly

synonym study for costly

OTHER WORDS FROM costly

Words related to costly

How to use costly in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for costly

Derived forms of costly