What is cost? Pronunciation and usage in English

cost means . Learn how to pronounce and use cost through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of cost

costverb/noun

/kɒst/
Definition & pronunciation of cost

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "cost" in English. Here's a breakdown of the sounds and how to put them together:

1. Phonetic Transcription (for accuracy):

  • /kɒst/ (This is the most common and generally accepted pronunciation)

2. Breaking it Down:

  • "c": Pronounced like the "k" in "cat."
  • "o": Pronounced like the "o" in "hot" or "lot." It's a short "o" sound.
  • "st": This is the trickiest part. It’s pronounced like “st” in “stop” or “street”.

3. Putting it Together - The Rhythm:

The word is spoken with a slight emphasis on the first syllable ("cost"). It's a fairly quick, clipped pronunciation.

4. Listen to Examples:

  • Google it: Search for "how to pronounce cost" on Google and listen to the audio examples. This is highly recommended.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/cost/ - This website has pronunciations from native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search "pronounce cost" on YouTube, and you'll find many videos.

Tips:

  • Don't over-elongate: “Cost” is a short word. Avoid stretching it out too much.
  • Focus on the clear “st” sound. This is where many learners stumble.

Do you want me to:

  • Provide you with a more detailed explanation of any particular sound?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "cost"?

Usage and examples with the word cost in English

Let's break down how to use the word "cost" in English. It's a really versatile word with several different meanings and ways to incorporate it into sentences. Here's a breakdown categorized for clarity:

1. Basic Meaning: Price

  • As a Noun: This is the most common usage. "Cost" refers to the amount of money something requires.
    • Example: "The shirt cost $20." (The shirt's price was $20.)
    • Example: "What did the groceries cost?" (How much did the groceries cost?)
    • Example: "The hotel room cost us $150 per night."

2. As a Verb: To Spend Money

  • To indicate the amount spent: "Cost" can be used as a verb meaning to pay for something.
    • Example: “I cost my grandmother $50 for her birthday.” (I spent $50 on her birthday.)
    • Example: “It costs a lot of money to live in this city.” (Living in this city requires spending a lot of money.)
    • Example: "The repairs cost $300." (The repairs amounted to $300.)

3. Phrases with "Cost"

Here are some common phrases that use "cost":

  • “Cost an arm and a leg”: This idiom means something is very expensive.
    • Example: “That car cost an arm and a leg!”
  • “Cost a fortune”: Similar to above, meaning extremely expensive.
    • Example: “Buying a house cost a fortune.”
  • “Cost someone time”: Meaning something took a lot of time.
    • Example: “It cost me three hours to finish the project.”
  • “Cost someone effort”: Meaning something required a lot of work.
    • Example: “Learning to play the piano cost her a lot of effort.”
  • “Cost (something) to do something”: This structure expresses the expense of an action.
    • Example: "It costs $5 to park here."
    • Example: "Traveling to Europe cost me a small fortune."

4. Using "Cost" with Specifics

  • “Cost per unit”: Refers to the price for a single item.
    • Example: "The cost per unit of the product is $10."
  • “Cost of living”: The expenses needed to maintain a certain standard of living.
    • Example: “The cost of living has increased significantly.”
  • “Cost analysis”: A study of the expenses involved in a project or activity.
    • Example: “We conducted a cost analysis to determine the project's feasibility.”

5. Comparing Costs

  • “Cost more” / “Cost less”: Used to compare the price of different things.
    • Example: “This dress costs less than that one.”
    • Example: “The new model costs more than the old one.”

Important Notes:

  • “Spend” vs. “Cost”: “Spend” is your action of paying money. “Cost” is the amount of money something requires.

    • I spent $20. (I paid $20.)
    • The movie cost $12. (The price of the movie was $12.)

  • "Price" vs. "Cost": "Price" is often used when talking about the amount a retailer charges. "Cost" often refers to the overall expense, including production and shipping. However, in everyday conversation, they are often used interchangeably.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about? (e.g., discussing prices, talking about expenses, writing a story, etc.)

Synonyms for the word cost

Idioms of the word cost

at all cost/costs
whatever is needed to achieve something
  • You must stop the press from finding out at all costs.
at any cost
under any circumstances
  • He is determined to win at any cost.
at cost
for only the amount of money that is needed to make or get something, without any profit being added on
  • goods sold at cost
count the cost (of something)
to feel the bad effects of a mistake, an accident, etc.
  • The town is now counting the cost of its failure to provide adequate flood protection.
know/learn/find something to your cost
to know something because of something unpleasant that has happened to you
  • She is a tough competitor, as I know to my cost.

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