costly Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite entailing great loss or sacrifice
    dearly-won.
    • a dearly-won victory
  2. adjective satellite having a high price
    dear; pricey; high-priced; pricy.
    • costly jewelry
    • high-priced merchandise
    • much too dear for my pocketbook
    • a pricey restaurant

WordNet

Cost"ly adjective
Etymology
From Cost expense.
Definitions
  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 1913