What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pricey
Example
The restaurant we went to last night was quite pricey, but the food was delicious. [pricey: adjective]
Example
I can't believe how pricey these designer shoes are! [pricey: adjective]
costly
Example
The repairs for my car were very costly, and I had to dip into my savings to pay for them. [costly: adjective]
Example
The company's decision to invest in a new product line turned out to be a costly mistake. [costly: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pricey is more commonly used in everyday language, while costly is more formal and often used in business or financial contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between pricey and costly?
Costly is more formal than pricey and is often used in business or financial contexts, while pricey is more informal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
