1. entailing great loss or sacrifice (Freq. 2) - a dearly-won victory • Syn: dearly-won • Similar to: expensive • Derivationally related forms: cost 2. having a high price (Freq. 2) - costly jewelry - high-priced merchandise - much too dear for my pocketbook - a pricey restaurant • Syn: dear, high-priced, pricey, pricy • Similar to: expensive • Derivationally related forms: price (for: pricy), price (for: pricey), dearness (for: dear), cost, costliness