cost-effective

adjective

cost-ef·​fec·​tive ˈkȯst-ə-ˈfek-tiv 

-ˌfek-

: producing good results without costing a lot of money

cost-effective measures to combat poverty

Robot spot welding can be quite cost-effective …

—Harry H. Poole

cost-effectiveness noun

Examples of cost-effective in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rather than using multiple materials, for example, builders who are trying to be both stylish and cost-effective will stick with one or two and use color to add depth. —Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026

The plan is to develop a cost-effective, energy-efficient technology for making innovative plastics based on polybutylene succinate (PBS) which are made entirely out of organic waste. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026

Home equity loans, however, provide a viable and cost-effective recourse for borrowers now. —Matt Richardson, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026

All this because the state hasn’t mustered the political will to stand up to the gas industry and redirect these wasteful investments towards modern, clean and cost-effective alternatives. —Anshul Gupta, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cost-effective

• ineffective
• intellective
• introspective
• irrespective
• nondirective
• nonselective
• retrospective
• unreflective
• advective
• affective
• collective
• connective