costly

cost·ly

adj \ˈkȯs(t)-lē\

cost·li·ercost·li·est

Definition of COSTLY

1

a : commanding a high price especially because of intrinsic worth <costly gems> b : rich, splendid

2

: made or done at heavy expense or sacrifice <a costly mistake>

— cost·li·ness noun

Examples of COSTLY

1. We use less costly materials in our products.
2. It was too costly to fix her car after the accident, so she decided to buy a new car instead.
3. They won the game, but their best player was injured, so it was a costly victory.
4. The decision to wait could be a costly mistake.

First Known Use of COSTLY

14th century

Related to COSTLY

Synonyms: big-ticket, dear, expensive, extravagant, high, high-end, high-ticket, precious, premium, priceless, pricey (also pricy), spendy [chiefly Northwest], ultraexpensive, valuable

Antonyms: cheap, inexpensive

Related Words: exorbitant, overpriced, prohibitive, sky-high, steep, stiff, unaffordable, uneconomic (or uneconomical), unreasonable; inestimable, invaluable; deluxe, luxurious, sumptuous

Near Antonyms: moderate, reasonable; valueless, worthless; discounted

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Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

Rhymes with COSTLY

crossly