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

The development comes at a time when navies worldwide are increasingly seeking cost-effective and adaptable solutions to address evolving maritime threats. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026

According to Pender, undergrounding lines is the most efficient and cost-effective way to reduce wildfire risk in the long-term, despite the upfront costs. — Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026

Reducing the tire sizes is usually the most cost-effective way to do that. — New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026

But some current and former state officials say that approach isn’t a substitute for an audit to determine whether Vermont is getting adequate and cost-effective returns on its huge water quality investments. — Jonathan Mingle, ProPublica, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cost-effective

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