What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
costly
Example
The repairs for the car were quite costly. [costly: adjective]
Example
The project turned out to be more costly than we anticipated. [costly: adjective]
expensive
Example
The designer dress was too expensive for me to buy. [expensive: adjective]
Example
The cost of living in this city is very expensive. [expensive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Expensive is more commonly used than costly in everyday language.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between costly and expensive?
Expensive is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts. Costly, on the other hand, is typically used in more formal settings.
