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Definition of "costly" []

  • Of high price or value; expensive: costly jewelry. (adjective)
  • Entailing loss or sacrifice: a costly war. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "costly" in a sentence
  • "Mr. Obama is most eager to eliminate what he calls "costly tax cuts for oil companies.""
  • "McCain criticized Democratic contenders for offering what he called costly universal health-care proposals that require too much government regulation."
  • "McCain criticized Democratic contenders for offering what he called costly universal health care proposals that require too much government regulation."