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Added 8 October 2026

cost

/kɒst/ verb

In Latin: cōnstō, valeō Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about cost at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To incur a charge of; to require payment of a (specified) price.
This shirt cost $50, while this was cheaper at only $30.
To cause something to be lost; to cause the expenditure or relinquishment of.
Trying to rescue the man from the burning building cost them their lives.
To require to be borne or suffered; to cause.

noun

Amount of money (or time, etc.) that is required or used.
The total cost of the new complex was an estimated $1.5 million.
A negative consequence or loss that occurs or is required to occur.
Spending all your time working may earn you a lot of money at the cost of your health.

verb

To calculate or estimate costs (such as expenses, or a price).
I costed the repair work at a few thousand.

noun

Manner; way; means; available course; contrivance.(Can we add an example for this sense?)
Quality; condition; property; value; worth; a wont or habit; disposition; nature; kind; characteristic.

Origin

From Middle English costen, from Old French coster, couster (“to cost”), from Medieval Latin cōstō, from Latin cōnstō (“stand together”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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