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

Ursa Major pointed out that the engine’s innovation and success have set a new standard for agile, cost-effective propulsion in defense and commercial sectors. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026

These promotions make Starz even more cost-effective than a lot of its competitors. —Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 30 Apr. 2026

While the technology is increasingly becoming more cost-effective and integrated into global energy grids, using solar cells to reliably propel a standard-sized vehicle long distances simply isn’t quite there yet. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 2026

Pebble trays are often boosted as a simple and cost-effective way to boost humidity for indoor plants. —Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 29 Apr. 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