The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word DEARLY
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
D
E
A
R
L
Y
More clues leading to the result DEARLY
- Died too soon with great suffering
- How lover is regarded, costing a lot of money
- Very much depressed in the end, getting old
- Duke advanced at great cost
- Daughter prematurely joined, at great expense
- Day’s beginning sooner than expected, at great cost
- How affection is shown at great cost
- Departs in good time but at great cost
- How someone may be loved with much suffering?
- Day too soon, at great cost
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "at great cost" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case at great cost = dearly.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DEARLY mean?
DEARLY adverb- In a dear or precious manner.
- In a dear or expensive manner.
- At great expense.