costs

word · lemma: cost

/ˈkɑsts/
kawsts
/kˈɒsts/
kosts

Definition

The third-person singular form of 'cost'. It means to have a particular price, or to require losing, using, or sacrificing something such as money, time, or effort.

Usage & Nuances

'Costs' is most often used for prices ('It costs $10') and for consequences ('It costs time', 'It costs too much'). The past form is also 'cost', not 'costed' in this meaning. Common patterns: 'costs money', 'costs a lot', 'costs too much', 'costs me/us'.

Example Sentences

This bag costs twenty dollars.

basic

It costs too much to eat out every day.

basic

Being late costs him time.

basic

Fixing the car costs more than I expected.

natural

This decision costs us a lot, but we have no choice.

natural

Everyone wants fast delivery, but that costs money.

natural