costliness

IPA/ˈkɒstlinəs/
IPA/ˈkɔːstlinəs/

costliness — noun

1. how expensive something is, especially when the price feels higher than expected

1.名詞C1
釋義

how expensive something is, especially when the price feels higher than expected or reasonable for what you get

例句

The costliness of the hotel shocked Talia when she saw the final bill.

the costliness of [a service/item]

Felipe compared the costliness of different phone plans before choosing one.

同義詞
  • expensiveness

    more neutral and direct; less formal than costliness

  • dearness

    old-fashioned; now rarely used outside British cost-of-living discussions

  • high price

    everyday phrase; not a single-word synonym but the simplest equivalent

反義詞

文法句型

the costliness of [noun phrase]

be + the costliness of [noun phrase]

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 2: this sense refers to monetary expense only, while sense 2 refers to damage or loss that is not necessarily financial.

常見錯誤

❌The costliness of the project was the time it took.
✅The costliness of the project was the high price of the materials.
💡Use 'costliness' for monetary price, not for time or effort.
❌This is a very costliness hotel.
✅This is a very costly hotel.
💡'Costliness' is a noun, not an adjective; use the adjective 'costly' to describe a noun directly.

2. the degree to which an action, event, or situation causes serious harm, loss, or

2.名詞C2
釋義

the degree to which an action, event, or situation causes serious harm, loss, or negative consequences, often beyond what is obvious at first

例句

The costliness of the mistake became clear when the company lost its biggest client.

the costliness of [a mistake/decision]

Camille weighed the costliness of quitting her job against staying in an unhappy workplace.

同義詞
  • damage

    broader and more common; lacks the connotation of a 'price paid'

  • harm

    simpler and more direct; focuses on injury or damage

  • price

    metaphorical use, as in 'the price of success'; slightly less formal

反義詞
  • benefit

    a positive outcome or gain

  • gain

    something acquired or won

文法句型

the costliness of [noun phrase]

用法筆記

Frequently describes non-financial costs such as harm to relationships, health, reputation, or the environment. Typically used with an adjective such as 'true', 'real', or 'hidden'.

常見錯誤

❌The costliness sense 2 talks about damage.
✅The costliness of the war was measured in lives, not dollars.
💡Use costliness in a complete sentence, not as a meta-reference.