costoso

costly

adjective kohs-TOH-soh Rare

Also means

expensive

Usage Note

Costoso is a more formal or literary synonym of caro (expensive), and can also apply figuratively — una victoria costosa is a costly victory in terms of effort or sacrifice. The adverb costosamente is rarely used; learners should prefer a un alto costo for the adverbial sense. Female form is costosa.

Examples

"El tratamiento médico fue muy costoso."

Natural Translation

The medical treatment was very costly.

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