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 costly

Pulling oil from the tar sands is costly, even more so when you tack transportation costs on top.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: Jan. 4|PunditFact.com|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The studio took him at his word and jumped at the chance to close down, or at least reduce, his costly operation.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Is she too hawkish for the activists who helped make her vote for the Iraq War so costly back in the 2008 campaign?
Want President Hillary? Then Primary Her|Jeff Greenfield|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Governor Bobby Jindal insists it would be too costly for the state, whose share would total nearly $2 billion over 10 years.
Living in Louisiana’s Tragic Health-Care Limbo|Linda Marsa|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

No matter how constitutionally suspect, how costly, how slapdash, or how disappointing a grand policy might be, well, they tried.
Our Lame Cult of the Presidency|James Poulos|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of fur of costly otter / his mantle was complete, With other skins embroidered / from head unto the feet.
The Nibelungenlied|Unknown
The lady acknowledged the costly offering by a gracious smile, and a low bend of the head toward the giver.
Philothea|Lydia Maria Child
He likewise sailed in a costly ship; its anchor was inlaid with pure gold, and every rope was of twisted silk.
The Sand-Hills of Jutland|Hans Christian Andersen
He asked Forester which was the most costly of all the woods.
Forests of Maine|Jacob S. Abbott
The fingers were covered with the most costly rings, no doubt since added.
Servia, Youngest Member of the European Family|Andrew Archibald Paton

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 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 costly

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.

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Nearby words

Origin of costly

Examples from the Web for costly

costly

adjective -lier or -liest

costly