plural noun
The amounts of money needed to buy, make, or do things.
The repair costs were higher than expected.
The costs of college are rising.
American English
How to pronounce costs
noun · verbB1Very common word
KAWSTS
/kʰɔsts/
One syllable.
Form of cost
Costs can be a plural noun or the third-person singular present form of cost.
The amounts of money needed to buy, make, or do things.
What to listen for
“Costs” is usually pronounced /kɔsts/. In some American accents, especially accents with the same vowel in cot and caught, you may hear /kɑsts/.
Usual pronunciation/kʰɔsts/
Some American accents/kʰɑsts/
Meanings & examples
plural noun
The losses or sacrifices caused by actions or decisions.
The human costs of the war are still rising.
The costs of the decision included lost trust.
third-person singular verb
It has a particular price or requires a particular amount of money.
The repair costs $500.
This mistake costs the company thousands of dollars.
third-person singular verb
It makes someone lose something valuable, such as time, sleep, or an opportunity.
This delay costs us valuable time.
The mistake costs her a promotion.
Useful expressions
The money needed for basic daily expenses in a place.
The cost of living is high in this city.
No matter what problems or sacrifices are necessary.
We must protect the children at any cost.
To be extremely expensive.
That small apartment costs an arm and a leg.
Related words & forms
For the usual meaning, the past and past participle are cost, not costed.