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Added 9 October 2026

costly

/ˈkɒst.li/ adjective

In Latin: pretiōsus, impensus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about costly at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Entailing great loss or sacrifice.
a dearly-won victory
Having a high price.
costly jewelry

Origin

From Middle English costly, costely, costeley, equivalent to cost + -ly.

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

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