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costly
4 dictionary results for: costly
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
cost·ly       [kawst-lee, kost-] Pronunciation Key
–adjective, -li·er, -li·est.
1.costing much; expensive; high in price: a costly emerald bracelet; costly medical care.
2.resulting in great expense: The upkeep of such a large house is costly.
3.resulting in great detriment: It was a costly mistake because no one ever trusted him again.
4.of great value; very valuable; sumptuous.
5.lavish; extravagant.
[Origin: 1350–1400; ME costli. See cost1, -ly]

—Related forms
cost·li·ness, noun

—Synonyms 1. dear, high-priced. See expensive.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
cost·ly       (kôst'lē)  Pronunciation Key 
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.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
costly

adjective
1. entailing great loss or sacrifice; "a dearly-won victory" [syn: dearly-won] 
2. having a high price; "costly jewelry"; "high-priced merchandise"; "much too dear for my pocketbook"; "a pricey restaurant" 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Costly

Cost"ly\ (k?st"l?; 115), a. [From Cost expense.]

1. Of great cost; expensive; dear.

He had fitted up his palace in the most costly and sumptuous style, for the accomodation of the princess. --Prescott.

2. Gorgeous; sumptuous. [Poetic.]

To show how costly summer was at hand. --Shak.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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