costly adj 1: entailing great loss or sacrifice; "a dearly-won victory" [syn: {dearly-won}, {costly}] 2: having a high price; "costly jewelry"; "high-priced merchandise"; "much too dear for my pocketbook"; "a pricey restaurant" [syn: {costly}, {dear(p)}, {high-priced}, {pricey}, {pricy}]
Costly \Cost"ly\ (k?st"l?; 115), a. [From Cost expense.] [1913 Webster] 1. Of great cost; expensive; dear. [1913 Webster] He had fitted up his palace in the most costly and sumptuous style, for the accomodation of the princess. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 2. Gorgeous; sumptuous. [Poetic.] [1913 Webster] To show how costly summer was at hand. --Shak. [1913 Webster]