cost
- 01 A1 Beginner
n.the amount of money you need to pay to buy or do something.
n.the amount of money, time, or resources required to purchase or produce something.
Simple“The cost of a new laptop has gone down recently.”
In context“The total cost of the renovation exceeded the initial budget by nearly twenty percent due to unforeseen structural issues.”
PitfallThe cost for the ticket was ten dollars. The cost of the ticket was ten dollars.Use the preposition 'of' to connect 'cost' to the item being purchased.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the effort, loss, or suffering needed to achieve something.
n.the loss, sacrifice, or penalty incurred in the pursuit of an objective.
Simple“He won the race, but the cost was a serious leg injury.”
In context“The environmental cost of rapid industrialisation is often overlooked in short-term economic forecasts.”
- 03 A1 Beginner
v.to have a specific price or require a certain amount of money.
v.to require the payment of a specified sum or the expenditure of resources.
Simple“How much does this shirt cost?”
In context“Maintaining a vintage sports car can cost thousands of dollars in specialised parts and labour every year.”
UsageThe verb is usually stative and not used in the continuous (-ing) form when referring to price.
PitfallThe shoes costed fifty dollars. The shoes cost fifty dollars.The past tense of 'cost' is usually 'cost', not 'costed', when referring to a price.
Synonymsprice atsell for - 04 B1 Intermediate
v.to cause someone to lose something valuable, like a job or a life.
v.to result in the loss or unpleasant sacrifice of something.
Simple“One small mistake cost him his job at the bank.”
In context“The general's tactical error cost the lives of hundreds of soldiers during the retreat.”
- 05 C1 Advanced
v.to calculate how much a task or project will cost.
v.to estimate or calculate the likely cost of a project or service.
Simple“We need to cost the project before we sign the contract.”
In context“The accountants spent three days costing the proposed expansion to ensure it was financially viable.”
UsageIn this specific sense of 'calculating', the past tense 'costed' is frequently used.
cost vs price — Price is the amount a seller asks for; cost is the total amount spent to produce or obtain something.
Usage cost of living · cost taxpayers · costs associated