costlier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "costlier" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the price of one item or service to another, indicating that it is more expensive. Example: "The new model of the smartphone is costlier than the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, she might need to keep a bit back: Bond 24 will prove costlier in terms of talent if agents are doing their jobs.

The Guardian - Film

Should all this make it harder and costlier for companies to gather information, that would hurt the likes of Facebook and Google, which depend on knowing enough about their customers to ping them with ads that match their tastes.All of this comes as the White House mulls new limits on surveillance recommended by a presidential advisory committee.

The Economist

Net oil imports are well below their 2005 peak, which means more of the money Americans spend on costlier oil stays within its borders.

The Economist

The longer Congress goes without legislating a change, the costlier it will be for the economy.

The Economist

It fell back after the Saudis denied the claim, but at $125, crude is still 16% costlier than at the start of the year.Assessing the dangers posed by dearer oil means answering four questions: What is driving up the oil price?

The Economist

But every time they looked at it, they concluded that it would be costlier, including to Germany, than doing what is needed to keep the currency together.

The Economist

The measure captures the effect of currency changes on the competitiveness of a country's exports the higher the rate, the costlier they are.

The Economist

The storm is costlier than the estimated bill reflects.

The Economist

Banks are being encouraged to maintain their capacity for new lending by securitising their small-business loans taking risk off their books that new bank-capital rules are making costlier.

The Economist

Hefty excise duties in Poland its taxes are a whopping euro22.50 per hundred litres, over twice as much as in Germany (but one-third as high as in Britain, and on a par with America)—have triggered a bout of price competition, stunting the growth of costlier premium brands.

The Economist

All this makes a given annual payment costlier to fund.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the cost of two items, use "costlier" to directly indicate that one is more expensive than the other. For example, "Organic produce is often costlier than conventionally grown options."

Common error

Avoid using "costlier" when you actually mean something is of higher value, not just a higher price. While the two are often related, they are not synonymous. "Costlier" specifically refers to price, not intrinsic worth.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "costlier" is as a comparative adjective. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun is more expensive than another. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "costlier" is a grammatically sound comparative adjective used to indicate that something is more expensive than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "more expensive" exist, "costlier" offers a direct and clear comparison of price, suitable for many contexts. Remember to use "costlier" when specifically referring to price differences and to avoid confusing it with general value judgments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more expensive

Replaces "costlier" with a more common and straightforward term to indicate a higher price.

at a higher price

Emphasizes the increased price point compared to something else.

dearer

A more formal synonym for "more expensive" or "costlier".

more high-priced

Similar to "more expensive" but can suggest a generally higher category of pricing.

carrying a higher price tag

Highlights the actual cost and the visual of the price.

more upscale

Describes a product or service that is of higher quality and, therefore, more expensive.

more valuable

Implies higher financial value, though not necessarily directly related to price.

more premium

Indicates a higher quality or luxury version, often implying a higher cost.

more lavish

Suggests a greater expense related to luxury or extravagance.

more burdensome financially

Highlights the financial strain associated with higher costs.

FAQs

How can I use "costlier" in a sentence?

You can use "costlier" to compare the price of two or more items or services. For example, "Due to inflation, groceries have become "more expensive", making organic options even "costlier"".

What's a simpler alternative to "costlier"?

A simpler and more common alternative to "costlier" is "more expensive". It conveys the same meaning in most contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "costlier" instead of "more expensive"?

"Costlier" is suitable when you want to emphasize a direct comparison of prices, especially when discussing financial implications or budgets. Using "more expensive" is also a valid option and often preferred for its simplicity.

Is there a difference in formality between "costlier" and "more expensive"?

"Costlier" can sometimes sound slightly more formal than "more expensive", but the difference is minimal. Both are appropriate for most writing and speaking situations.