{ "term": "cost", "partOfSpeech": "noun", "ox3000": true, "cefr": "a1", "definitions": [ { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "the amount of money that you need in order to buy, make or do something", "sensetop": "cost of somethingat a cost of somethingcost to somebodycost for somebody/something", "cefr": "a1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "the **high/low cost** of housing", "contextForm": "cost of something" }, { "text": "A new computer system has been installed at a cost of £80 000.", "contextForm": "at a cost of something" }, { "text": "You could buy a used car at **a fraction of the cost** of a new one." }, { "text": "We did not even make enough money to **cover the cost** of the food." }, { "text": "Consumers will have to **bear the** full **cost** of these pay increases." }, { "text": "The plan had to be abandoned on grounds of cost." }, { "text": "The **total cost** to you *(= the amount you have to pay)* is £3 000.", "contextForm": "cost to somebody" }, { "text": "Energy is a major cost for businesses.", "contextForm": "cost for somebody/something" }, { "text": "She estimates the cost for this project at $150 000." }, { "text": "A total of 3.6 million tickets at an average cost of $58 are available for the Games." }, { "text": "Allow €100 per day to cover the cost of meals." }, { "text": "Competition will drive the price down near to the marginal cost." }, { "text": "Contractors can now be required to carry the cost of delays." }, { "text": "Delegates receive allowances to meet the cost of travel." }, { "text": "I would put the cost of a new employee at $80 000 a year." }, { "text": "It is essential that we operate with the lowest possible cost base and most efficient facilities." }, { "text": "Now people can access the internet at minimal cost." }, { "text": "She was unwilling to pay the extra cost to get a room to herself." }, { "text": "The corporation will pay all costs and expenses incurred with its written consent." }, { "text": "The cost of dental treatment is increasing." }, { "text": "The cost of repairs would be prohibitive." }, { "text": "The cost to the government will be quite high." }, { "text": "The entire project carries a cost of $2 million." }, { "text": "The high cost of energy was a problem for consumers." }, { "text": "The hotel offers tea and coffee at no extra cost." }, { "text": "There were cost overruns on each project." }, { "text": "We're hoping that we'll at least cover costs at the conference." }, { "text": "What is the current replacement cost of these assets?" }, { "text": "You can spread the cost of your loan repayment over 10 years." }, { "text": "You will have to bear the full cost of the building work." }, { "text": "the cost per day for an electrician" }, { "text": "the pursuit of cost reduction" }, { "text": "The true cost of running a car is much greater than just the price of the petrol you use." } ], "topics": ["Money"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["considerable", "high", "enormous"], "verb + cost": ["carry", "have", "bear"], "cost + verb": ["escalate", "go up", "increase"], "cost + noun": ["reduction", "savings", "increase"], "preposition": ["at a cost of", "cost to"], "phrases": [ "an increase in cost", "a reduction in cost", "at great cost" ] } }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "the total amount of money that needs to be spent by a business", "labels": "(North American English)(British English)", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "The use of cheap labour helped to keep costs down." }, { "text": "**Reducing costs** means we can keep prices as low as possible." }, { "text": "We have to find new ways of **cutting costs**." }, { "text": "The company is focused on lowering its **operating costs**." }, { "text": "We have had to raise our prices because of **rising costs**." }, { "text": "Opinion was divided on the potential costs and benefits of the scheme." }, { "text": "The company's costs have risen over the last 5 years." }, { "text": "the costs associated with buying and selling property" }, { "text": "The capital cost of these projects is some $100 million—then there'll be the operating costs." }, { "text": "research and development costs" } ], "topics": ["Money"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["considerable", "enormous", "great"], "verb + costs": ["incur", "pay", "increase"], "costs + verb": ["be associated", "be involved", "escalate"] } }, { "senseNumber": 3, "definition": "the effort, loss or damage that is involved in order to do or achieve something", "sensetop": "the cost of somethingat the cost of somethingat… costat… cost in somethingat (a) cost to somethingcost in something", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "the terrible cost of the war in death and suffering", "contextForm": "the cost of something" }, { "text": "the environmental cost of nuclear power" }, { "text": "She saved him from the fire **at the cost of her own life** *(= she died)*.", "contextForm": "at the cost of something" }, { "text": "Victory **came at a** high **cost**.", "contextForm": "at… cost" }, { "text": "They advanced a few hundred metres, but at a heavy cost in life.", "contextForm": "at… cost in something" }, { "text": "He worked non-stop for three months, at considerable cost to his health.", "contextForm": "at (a) cost to something" }, { "text": "I felt a need to please people, whatever the cost in time and energy.", "contextForm": "cost in something" }, { "text": "The victory was achieved at great cost to the country's infrastructure." }, { "text": "The raid was foiled, but at a cost: an injured officer who was lucky to survive." }, { "text": "The country has suffered the enormous cost of trade sanctions." }, { "text": "Do the benefits outweigh the costs?" }, { "text": "the costs and benefits of this strategy" } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["considerable", "enormous", "great"], "verb + cost": ["outweigh", "suffer", "count"], "preposition": ["at cost (to)", "at a cost (to)", "at the cost of"], "phrases": ["costs and benefits", "at all costs", "at any cost"] } }, { "senseNumber": 4, "definition": "the sum of money that somebody is ordered to pay for lawyers, etc. in a legal case", "cefr": "c1", "examples": [ { "text": "He was ordered to pay £2 000 costs." }, { "text": "She was fined £200 and ordered to pay costs." }, { "text": "Both sides incurred costs of over $50 000." }, { "text": "If you win your case you will normally be awarded costs." } ], "topics": ["Money"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["court", "legal", "administrative"], "verb + costs": ["incur", "pay", "be awarded"] } }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "whatever is needed to achieve something", "examples": [ { "text": "You must stop the press from finding out at all costs." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "under any circumstances", "examples": [ { "text": "He is determined to win at any cost." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "for only the amount of money that is needed to make or get something, without any profit being added on", "examples": [ { "text": "goods sold at cost" } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to feel the bad effects of a mistake, an accident, etc.", "examples": [ { "text": "The town is now counting the cost of its failure to provide adequate flood protection." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to know something because of something unpleasant that has happened to you", "examples": [ { "text": "She is a tough competitor, as I know to my cost." } ] } ], "pronunciations": { "uk": [ { "pronunciation": "/kɒst/", "audio": "co/cost/cost__gb_1.mp3" } ], "us": [ { "pronunciation": "/kɔːst/", "audio": "co/cost/cost__us_1.mp3" } ] }, "wordOrigin": "Middle English: from Old French coust (noun), couster (verb), based on Latin constare ‘stand firm, stand at a price’." }