区别辨析dear、expensive与costly

这些形容词都表示物品价格“高的、昂贵的”之意。

dear : 侧重指要价过高,或远高于公道、合理的价格,其反义词是cheap。

  • The food was good but very dear.
    这儿的饭菜不错,就是太贵。
  • Everything's so dear now, isn't it?
    现在什么东西都那么贵,是不是?

expensive : 指物品的价格超过了它本身所值,或超过了购买者的支付能力。

  • Rolls Royces are very expensive.
    劳斯莱斯汽车价格昂贵。
  • Big houses are expensive to maintain.
    大房子维护费用很高。
  • She has expensive tastes (= she likes things that cost a lot of money).
    她喜欢昂贵的东西。

costly : 指物品价格高,通常是因物品稀少或珍贵所致。

  • a costly item
    一件昂贵的商品
  • a costly purchase
    花大价钱买来的东西
  • The project was subject to several costly delays/setbacks.
    该工程经历了几次代价昂贵的拖延/挫折。