Cost Meaning
Cost Definition & Usage
The amount of money required to obtain, produce, or maintain something.
Examples
- "The cost of living has increased significantly in the past year."
- "She didn’t realize the cost of the repairs would be so high."
- "Can you estimate the total cost of this project?"
- "The cost of the concert tickets was higher than expected."
- "We need to cut costs if we want to stay within budget."
A negative consequence or sacrifice that occurs as a result of pursuing a particular action or decision.
Examples
- "The cost of winning the election was the loss of his personal relationships."
- "The project was delayed, and the cost was lost revenue for the company."
- "What’s the cost of this adventure in terms of time and effort?"
- "The emotional cost of the breakup was unbearable for him."
- "The cost of her ambition was a growing sense of isolation."
To require or demand a certain amount of money or effort.
Examples
- "The repair will cost $200."
- "How much does it cost to stay in this hotel?"
- "Changing the layout will cost more time than we anticipated."
- "His actions cost him his job."
- "The trip to Paris will cost us dearly."
Cultural Context
The concept of cost has deep cultural and economic significance. It is commonly used in both financial and metaphorical contexts to reflect what is sacrificed for the sake of an achievement or a goal. The phrase 'cost of living' is especially prevalent in discussions of economic policy and personal finance. In more emotional or social contexts, 'cost' can be used to reflect the price of personal decisions.
The Price of Ambition
Story
The Price of Ambition
At the heart of the bustling city, Jane was a young entrepreneur with big dreams. She had always known that success in business came at a price, but she didn't fully understand what that price would be until it started to affect her personal life. It all began with a small start-up that promised great returns. The cost of launching her business was steep—hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings, sleepless nights, and constant negotiations with investors. But Jane was determined. She knew that for every dream, there was a cost, and she was ready to pay it. Months passed, and her business flourished. However, the financial cost of success was starting to show. Jane barely had time to visit her family, and the friendships she had once cherished were beginning to wither. One evening, her sister called, frustrated by the lack of communication. 'Is this how it’s going to be, Jane?' her sister asked, her voice tinged with hurt. 'I haven’t seen you in months. What’s the cost of all this success?' Jane paused, realizing that the price she had paid for her ambition wasn’t just in dollars—it was in time, relationships, and personal happiness. She had sacrificed so much to build her empire, but at what cost? Now, as she sat in her office surrounded by success, the emotional cost was beginning to outweigh the financial one. The realization hit her hard. Jane could afford the luxury of a thriving business, but the cost had been the growing emptiness in her heart. It was a price she hadn't bargained for, and it was clear that she had to recalibrate her priorities before she lost everything that truly mattered to her. In the end, Jane learned that while financial costs are tangible and quantifiable, the emotional and social costs of ambition are often less visible, yet just as important to consider.
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