kostenloser

Kostenloser is the attributive form of the German adjective kostenlos, meaning free of charge. It is used before masculine singular nouns and follows standard German adjective declension, depending on whether a determiner precedes the noun and on the noun’s case. For example, ein kostenloser Download (nominative, masculine, indefinite) and der kostenlose Download (nominative, masculine, definite). In the accusative, einen kostenlosen Download and den kostenlosen Download are possible with a masculine noun.

In full form, the endings are as follows for common masculine nouns: nominative singular with no determiner or strong declension: kostenloser Download; with indefinite article: ein kostenloser Download; with definite article: der kostenlose Download; accusative with definite article: den kostenlosen Download; accusative with indefinite article: einen kostenlosen Download. For feminine nouns, you typically have eine kostenlose App (nominative/accusative) and die kostenlose App (definite). For neuter nouns: ein kostenloses Angebot, das kostenlose Angebot. In plural: kostenlose Apps (no article) or die kostenlosen Apps (definite).

Usage and nuance: kostenloser is widely used in advertising, product descriptions, and service offers to indicate no cost for a described item, such as ein kostenloser Download or kostenloser Versand. It is distinct from kostenlos (adjective or adverb meaning “free of charge” without inflection in some contexts) and from gratis or unentgeltlich, which can carry slightly different connotations or formality. In everyday language, umsonst is common but can imply “in vain” in some contexts, whereas kostenloser remains a plain descriptor of price.

Etymology: kostenlos derives from kosten (to cost) and los (without), literally “without costs.” Similar compounds exist across German, combining cost with a negating element.

See also: kostenlos, gratis, umsonst, unentgeltlich.