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

In a total economic analysis, Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) concluded that running an AI workload on-premises was as much as 62% more cost-effective than running it in the public cloud. —Clint Boulton, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

But, if a dining room is cut off — and budget is a factor, said Dalrymple, a large statement mirror opposite a window is a cost-effective solution compared to installing electrical to add recessed lighting. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos created the GOAT committee this year to streamline state government and explore ways to improve services for Wisconsinites in more cost-effective ways. —Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025

The most cost-effective options tend to be at shipping centers and pharmacies. —Ruby Grisin, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2025

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