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

The bottom line With mortgage purchase and some mortgage refinance rates both under 6% now, borrowers once again have cost-effective options to consider. —Matt Richardson, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026

Desalination remains a relatively cost-effective technology to transform sea water into drinking water. —Javier Blas, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026

Additionally, some argue that goat grazing is the most cost-effective way to deal with vegetation that is a fire hazard, and a well-sized herd can complete a job in a single day that would take two or three times as long with a landscaping crew. —Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026

Meanwhile, the typical mortgage payment in San Diego is well above the average rent, making renting the more cost-effective option for most households. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 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