What does costlier mean?
Costlier is the comparative form of the adjective costly, meaning more expensive or demanding a greater outlay of money, effort, or resources. It is used whenever two things are being weighed on price: one option is costlier than another, a mistake proves costlier than expected, or a material is costlier to source. Beyond strictly financial expense, the word carries an extended figurative sense — a decision can be 'costlier' in terms of reputation, time, or human suffering — which gives it useful flexibility in persuasive and analytical writing. The register is neutral to formal, making it at home in news reports, business analysis, and consumer guidance alike. English offers both 'costlier' and 'more costly' as valid comparatives, though the single-word form tends to read more smoothly. The word ultimately descends from the noun cost, which entered Middle English from Old French and may trace back further to Latin constare, 'to stand at a price'. For writers, costlier is a precise, economical way to signal that something exacts a higher price — literal or otherwise.
adjective (comparative form of 'costly')The comparative form of 'costly', meaning more expensive; requiring or involving a greater amount of money, resources, or sacrifice.
- Comparative of costly: requiring or involving greater expense than something else
- (Extended use) involving greater loss, sacrifice, or detriment, as in 'a costlier mistake'
"The repairs proved far costlier than the original estimate."
"Electric vehicles remain costlier upfront than their petrol counterparts, though running costs are lower."
"The delay proved far costlier than anyone had anticipated, draining both time and goodwill."
'Costlier' traces back not to Latin but to Old Norse 'kostr' — a Viking-era word for choice or opportunity that English turned into the price of things.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of costlier
Costlier derives from costly, formed from the noun cost plus the adjectival suffix -ly. The noun cost came into Middle English from Old French coster/coste, ultimately from Latin constare, meaning 'to stand firm' or 'to stand at a price'. The comparative suffix -ier follows the regular pattern for -ly adjectives, giving costlier alongside the analytic alternative 'more costly'. Related words sharing this lineage include accost and the modern verb cost itself.
Related word forms
How costlier is actually used
'Costlier' belongs to neutral-to-formal register and appears frequently in journalism, business writing, and consumer advice. Both 'costlier' and 'more costly' are acceptable comparatives; 'costlier' is slightly more concise and common in print.
Easily confused with costlier
'Costly' is the base adjective meaning expensive, while 'costlier' is its comparative form used when comparing two things.