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

Choosing the right production line from the outset is far more cost-effective than retrofitting to meet sudden increases in order volume. —Ken Bowles, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026

An all-of-the-above approach to bringing supply is key, which means liberalizing our housing markets and better prioritizing public funding to deliver cost-effective solutions. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026

This will ensure that you're invested in a cost-effective way and, over time, will lead to you owning a larger portion of the metal. —Matt Richardson, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026

Trader Joe’s Gyoza Potstickers have become my saving grace for quick, cost-effective dinners that can easily be scaled up to feed a crowd. —Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 25 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