trade-off

noun

ˈtrād-ˌȯf 

1

: a balancing of factors all of which are not attainable at the same time

Governments face a trade-off between privacy and increasing the effectiveness of tax collection.

—Ricardo Perez-Truglia and Ugo Troiano

2

: a giving up of one thing in return for another : exchange

trade off transitive verb

Synonyms of trade-off

• exchange

Examples of trade-off in a Sentence

a trade-off in which a company got a celebrity spokesperson and a fading star got some much-needed cash

Recent Examples on the Web

Technology Will Carry More Of The Load Trade execution technology is becoming increasingly capable of analyzing these trade-offs. — Adam Cohn, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

There’s no denying that the Rally may have lost a little of its hardcore edge, but perhaps Triumph believes that's a worthwhile trade-off for a motorcycle that more owners can comfortably enjoy every day. — New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026

Now that Amendment 3 is on the books, Florida’s county and local governments will confront major trade-offs. — Abigail Hall, The Conversation, 4 Nov. 2026

Chris King, owner of Mocha Maya’s coffee shop and the nearby Red Dahlia Cafe, says long lines (and the occasional impatient, jaywalking tourist) are an easy trade-off for economic security. — Laina Gustafson, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for trade-off

• cerenkov
• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff

Kids Definition

trade-off

noun

ˈtrād-ˌȯf

1

: a balancing of things all of which cannot be had at the same time

2

: a giving up of one thing in return for another