One syllable: Costs.
kahsts
/kɑsts/
Costs is pronounced kahsts (/kɑsts/). It has one syllable (Costs), with the stress on "Costs". Costs (noun) refers to the monetary charges required for something or the amount spent. It can also denote losses or liabilities in accounting or finance. In everyday use, “costs” often appears as a plural noun or as a verb form in phrases like “costs a lot” or “costs them dearly.” The term encompasses financial outlays and the economic impact of decisions.
nounCosts (noun) refers to the monetary charges required for something or the amount spent. It can also denote losses or liabilities in accounting or finance. In everyday use, “costs” often appears as a plural noun or as a verb form in phrases like “costs a lot” or “costs them dearly.” The term encompasses financial outlays and the economic impact of decisions.
"The project’s costs exceeded the budget."
"We need to consider the total costs before proceeding."
"These costs include materials, labor, and overhead."
Costs is pronounced with a single syllable: /kɔsts/ in US and UK. The initial consonant is a voiceless velar stop /k/, the vowel is a mid back rounded /ɔ/ (like 'short o'), followed by the final /sts/ cluster: /s/ + /t/ + /s/. In fast connected speech, the /t/ can be unreleased, so it may sound like /kɔsts/ with a light t, or even /kɔs.s/ in rapid phrases. For most learners, aim for a clean /k/ then a single /ɔ/ vowel and the /sts/ cluster clearly. Listening: you’ll hear it in phrases like “costs more.”
Common errors: 1) Slurring the /t/ and merging /st/ into a single sound; 2) Using a front vowel like /ɒ/ in American speakers you might hear /kɑsts/; 3) Not releasing the /t/, making it sound like /kɔs/ without the final /t/ or as /kɔst/. Correction: keep the tongue at the velar /k/ for the stop, move to the mid-back /ɔ/ and then sharply release into /ts/. Practice with slow practice: /kɔ-sts/ and then speed up maintaining a crisp /t/ release. Listen for the final sibilant /s/ after /t/.
In US English, the /ɔ/ is open and the /r/ is not involved, but the /ɔ/ remains a back rounded vowel; /kɔsts/ with a clear /ts/ end. UK/GA tends to have a slightly more open /ɒ/ in stressed syllables, giving /kɒsts/ in many dialects, though non-rhoticity means the final syllable does not carry an /r/. Australian English often leans toward a centralized /ɒ/ or /ɔ/ depending on region and may show a slightly longer vowel before the /sts/. Across all, the final /ts/ cluster remains the defining feature; the primary variation is the vowel /ɔ/ vs /ɒ/ and potential rhoticity differences in connected speech.
Costs is tough because of the /k/ onset followed by a rounded mid vowel /ɔ/ and a tricky consonant cluster /sts/ at the end. The /t/ in the /sts/ cluster can be unreleased in rapid speech, causing a blur between /t/ and /s/. Additionally, some learners substitute a front vowel like /æ/ or /ɒ/ or drop the /t/ entirely. Focus on a clean tongue position behind the alveolar ridge for the /t/ release, and practice aligning the tongue to produce crisp /s/ and /t/ sequencing in the /sts/ cluster.
Costs is normally unstressed in phrases because it’s a content word appearing in the middle of a noun phrase, but it can carry focus if emphasized in contrastive contexts. In isolation or as a head noun, you’ll place primary stress on the word: “Costs.” In connected phrases like “the costs are high,” the contrast and rhythm may shift which syllables carry stress in surrounding words, but /kɔsts/ remains the base pronunciation. In careful speech you keep the /k/ strong and maintain a crisp /ɔ/ with final /sts/.
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US: /kɔsts/ with rhoticity neutral in this word. UK: /kɒsts/ with broader /ɒ/ and non-rhotic tendencies; AU: /kɒsts/ or /kɔːsts/ depending on region, with slight vowel breadth. Vowel quality matters: US tends to a tighter /ɔ/; UK/AU may show more open /ɒ/. Consonants stay the same, but in connected speech you might hear a reduced /tə/ or /kɒstə/ in rapid phrases. Use IPA as your anchor and practice minimal pairs focusing on /ɔ/ vs /ɒ/.
Costs derives from the verb cost, dating back to Middle English, from the Old Norse word kasta meaning to throw or cast, used in the sense of paying or bearing a burden. The noun form emerged in English around the 14th century, originally denoting a price or charge. Over time, costs broadened to include non-monetary burdens and losses in accounting and business contexts. The plural form costs appeared as businesses discussed multiple charges or liabilities. The term has cognates in several Germanic languages, reflecting a shared concept of burden and price. In modern usage, costs often collocate with verbs like incur, fall, reduce, or escalate, and with adjectives such as total, hidden, or fixed. First known written appearances appear in economic and legal texts from the 15th century, evolving to a staple in budgeting and financial reporting by the 17th and 18th centuries.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Costs" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Costs" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Costs"
-oss sounds
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