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cost

/ˈkɑst/

When used as a noun to mean money, "cost" can be either countable (e.g., "the costs of production") or uncountable (e.g., "the cost of living"). As a verb, "cost" is an irregular verb. The past tense and the past participle are both "cost" (not "costed") when referring to price. When using "cost" to mean sacrifice, it is common to use the phrase "at the cost of," which describes what was lost to gain something else.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon, Maya is scrolling through a luxury travel site while Fatima is in the library.
Maya

This resort is fire, but the cost is absolutely insane.

Maya
Fatima
Fatima

Stop scrolling and get your act together. We have a midterm tomorrow.

💡
Maya uses the slang 'fire' to describe something high-quality or attractive, while Fatima uses the idiom 'get your act together' to tell Maya to stop procrastinating and focus on her studies.

Meanings

noun

The amount of money that a person must pay to buy or do something.

"The total cost of the renovation was higher than expected."

noun

A loss or sacrifice made in order to achieve a particular goal.

"He achieved success, but at the cost of his health."

verb (transitive)

To require the payment of a specified sum of money; to cause the loss or sacrifice of something.

"This new laptop will cost you over one thousand dollars."

Related Words

Last Updated: May 22, 2026Report an Error