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- Dictionarycostly/ˈkɒs(t)li/
adjective
- 1. costing a lot; expensive: "major problems requiring costly repairs" Similar Opposite
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COSTLY definition: 1. expensive, especially too expensive: 2. involving a lot of loss or damage: 3. expensive…. Learn more.
The meaning of COSTLY is commanding a high price especially because of intrinsic worth. How to use costly in a sentence.
COSTLY meaning: 1. expensive, especially too expensive: 2. involving a lot of loss or damage: 3. expensive…. Learn more.
Define costly. costly synonyms, costly pronunciation, costly translation, English dictionary definition of costly. adj. cost·li·er , cost·li·est 1. Of high price or value; expensive: costly jewelry. 2. Entailing loss or sacrifice: a costly war. cost′li·ness n.
If you say that something is costly, you mean that it costs a lot of money, often more than you would want to pay. Having professionally-made curtains can be costly, so why not make your own?
costly (somewhat formal) costing a lot of money, especially more than you want to pay: You want to avoid costly legal proceedings if you can. overpriced too expensive; costing more than it is worth: ridiculously overpriced designer clothes
COSTLY definition: 1. expensive: 2. causing a lot of problems, or making you lose something important: . Learn more.
If you describe someone's action or mistake as costly, you mean that it results in a serious disadvantage for them, for example the loss of a large amount of money or the loss of their reputation. [...]
Things that cost a lot of money are costly, but you can also use the word for events that cost you other things — like time, happiness, or advantage.
There are three meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective costly. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.