costlier

Costlier is the comparative form of costly, used to describe something that costs more than another item or option. It denotes higher price or greater expenditure of resources such as money, time, or effort.

In everyday language, costlier is used to compare two or more choices: X is costlier than Y, or The costlier option may offer added features. In economics or procurement contexts, costlier can refer to a higher upfront price or a higher total cost of ownership over a product’s life cycle, including maintenance and operation.

Costliness does not necessarily reflect quality. A costlier item may offer longer durability, better performance, or brand value, but price alone does not guarantee superior value. Conversely, a cheaper option may fail to meet requirements, leading to higher long-term costs.

Common collocations include costlier by, costlier than, and costlier route. It is often used in pricing analyses, consumer choice, and policy discussions about subsidies, taxes, or tariffs that alter relative costs.

Etymology and grammar: costlier is formed from costly with the standard English comparative suffix -er. It is used with the standard comparative construction: X is costlier than Y. Related terms include costly, cost, and the noun cost of ownership.