C1adjective 2K

Costly

🇬🇧 UK /["/ˈkɒstli/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ˈkɔːstli/"]/

Meaning of Costly

costing a lot of money, especially more than you want to pay

In simple words: Expensive; needing a lot of money.

Costly in a sentence

• Buying new furniture may prove too costly.
• These measures could be costly to employers.
• These teaching methods are too costly in terms of staff resources.
• This process is costly in computer time.
• The old palace may prove too costly for the Duke to maintain.
• You want to avoid costly legal proceedings if you can.
• a **costly mistake/failure**
• Mining can be costly in terms of lives *(= too many people can die)*.
• Privatizing the rail network turned out be a costly mistake for the government.
• The six-month delay will be costly for the company.

How to use Costly

Use 'costly' to describe something that requires a lot of money, especially in a neutral or formal context. Avoid using it in very casual settings, where simpler words like 'expensive' might be preferred.

Grammar pattern

costly + object

Memory hint

Sounds like 'cost'-'ly' — think of money costing you dearly.

Related words

Collocations with Costly

• be
• become
• prove
• extremely
• fairly
• very
• for
• in
• in terms of
• be
• become
• prove
• extremely
• fairly
• very
• for
• in
• in terms of

Synonyms for Costly

• expensive
• expensive

Opposites of Costly

• inexpensive
• cheap

Common mistakes with Costly

• Confused with 'cost' which refers to the price itself.
• Used in a context where 'valuable' would be more appropriate.
• Assuming it only refers to money when it can also refer to high costs in other aspects, like time.

Frequently asked questions about Costly

What does Costly mean?

Expensive; needing a lot of money.

What is the definition of Costly?

costing a lot of money, especially more than you want to pay

How do you use Costly in a sentence?

Buying new furniture may prove too costly.

Can you give another example of Costly?

These measures could be costly to employers.

What are synonyms for Costly?

Common alternatives include expensive, expensive.

What is the opposite of Costly?

Opposite meanings include inexpensive, cheap.

What words go with Costly?

It commonly pairs with be, become, prove, extremely, fairly, very, for, in, in terms of, be, become, prove, extremely, fairly, very, for, in, in terms of.

What are common mistakes when using Costly?

Confused with 'cost' which refers to the price itself. Used in a context where 'valuable' would be more appropriate. Assuming it only refers to money when it can also refer to high costs in other aspects, like time.

How do you pronounce Costly?

US: /["/ˈkɔːstli/"]/, UK: /["/ˈkɒstli/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Costly?

Use 'costly' to describe something that requires a lot of money, especially in a neutral or formal context. Avoid using it in very casual settings, where simpler words like 'expensive' might be preferred.

What CEFR level is Costly?

"Costly" is at C1 level on the CEFR scale.