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

Moving forward without knowing how to pay for it or not fully exploring what may be more cost-effective alternatives may invite serious public concern regarding the fiscal responsibility of the City Commission. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026

Its miniature form factor makes this solution the most compact and cost-effective currently available for integration into land vehicles, drones and munitions. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026

The race to prove that humanoid robots are both useful and cost-effective is still more of a marathon than a sprint. —Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 20 Apr. 2026

Upgrading your doorknobs can be a simple, cost-effective way to refresh your space. —Cody Godwin, USA Today, 19 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