cost

costverb

To cost is to need money, or something else of value, before someone can have or do something.

1. have a pricehave a particular price

   The price is the direct object, with no preposition before it. The person who pays can come before the price: it cost me a lot.

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + two objects [V + obj + obj] not used in the passive [no passive]

   • How much does this jacket cost? V + obj
   • The tickets cost more than we expected. V + obj
   • The repairs cost us a lot of money. V + obj + obj
   • It costs nothing to ask. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun cost money, cost a lot, cost a fortune, cost nothing

   phrase cost extra, cost twice as much

   Compare charge

2. cause a lossmake someone lose something valuable, such as a job, time, or their life

   transitive [T] verb + two objects [V + obj + obj] not used in the passive [no passive]

   • One small mistake cost him his job. V + obj + obj
   • The delay cost us three hours. V + obj + obj
   • Driving too fast could cost you your life. V + obj + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun cost someone their job, cost someone their life, cost someone time, cost someone the game

3. calculate the pricework out how much something will cost

   The past tense and past participle in this sense are costed, not cost.

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] usually passive [usually passive] business

   • The builders have costed the project carefully. V + obj
   • Every plan must be fully costed before it is approved. usually passive

   Collocations

   adverb + verb fully costed, carefully costed

   verb + noun cost a project, cost a plan

See also pay; spend