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Costless Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ’ธ
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costless

[หˆkษ’stlษ™s ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

without incurring any cost

Costless means without incurring any cost or expense. It refers to something that is free of charge or does not require payment.

Synonyms

complimentary, free, gratis, no-cost.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
costless

Used mostly in formal or technical contexts to describe something that doesn't require payment or has no cost associated with it.

  • The energy produced by this method is essentially costless once the system is set up.
  • Access to the online archive is costless for registered users.
free

Commonly used in everyday language to express that something is available without any cost. Can be used in various situations, both informal and formal.

  • Download the app for free from the website.
  • The park offers free entry to all visitors on weekends.
complimentary

Typically used in hospitality and service industries to indicate something provided without charge, often as a gesture of good service or goodwill.

  • Guests will receive complimentary breakfast during their stay.
  • The hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to the airport.
gratis

A more formal term, often used in legal, academic, or formal contexts to describe something given without payment.

  • The legal advice was provided gratis by the firm.
  • Attendees received gratis access to the seminar materials.
no-cost

Similar to 'costless', but a bit more casual. Often used in advertisements and promotions to indicate that something does not incur any cost.

  • Sign up today for a no-cost consultation.
  • They offer no-cost training sessions for new employees.

Examples of usage

  • Downloading this app is costless.
  • The costless admission to the museum was a pleasant surprise.
  • Parking is costless on Sundays.
  • She enjoyed the costless entertainment provided by the park.
  • The costless service was greatly appreciated by the community.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Philosophy

  • The concept of costlessness often raises discussions about the value of free resources in society.
  • In philosophical discussions, 'costless' choices can indicate freedom, where options are available without financial burden.

Economics

  • In economic terms, 'costless' items challenge traditional market theories, where goods typically have associated costs.
  • Public goods, such as national defense, are sometimes described as costless to the individual user, although they incur government expenditure.

Technology

  • The internet has facilitated many costless services, allowing access to information and communication without direct costs.
  • Open-source software is a prime example of costless technology, enabling users to access and modify programs without charges.

Education

  • Many educational resources, like online courses or public libraries, are offered at no cost, promoting equitable access to learning.
  • Costless educational materials, such as freely available textbooks, have been instrumental in reducing barriers to education.

Origin of 'costless'

Main points about word origin

  • The word combines 'cost,' which means money paid or required, with the suffix '-less,' indicating 'without.'
  • Its usage can be traced back to the late 1800s, often referring to services or items available for free.

The word 'costless' is a combination of the word 'cost' and the suffix '-less', meaning 'without'. It first appeared in the English language in the late 16th century, derived from the Middle English word 'costeles'. Over time, it has evolved to its current usage to describe something that does not incur any cost or expense.

See also: cost, costly, costs, costume.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,160 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.