Costly vs Expensive

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

	Costly	Expensive
Meaning	Expensive; needing a lot of money.	Costing a lot of money.
CEFR level	C1	A1
Part of speech	adjective	adjective
Usage notes	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.	Used for items that cost more than average. Avoid using for inexpensive or cheap items.

Frequently asked questions: Costly vs Expensive

What's the difference between "Costly" and "Expensive"?

"Costly" means: Expensive; needing a lot of money. "Expensive" means: Costing a lot of money.

When should I use "Costly" and "Expensive"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Costly" and "Expensive" the same CEFR level?

"Costly" is at C1, "Expensive" is at A1 on the CEFR scale.