Crossword Genius

Costly to many a listener (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dear

'costly' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'many a listener' is the wordplay.
'many' becomes 'd' (Roman numeral for 500).
'a listener' becomes 'ear' (body part which hears or listens).
'd'+'ear'='DEAR'

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for dear that I've seen before include "Darling" , "Expensive or loved" , "Expensive - address" , "Highly priced" , "At a high cost" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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