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

Together, the companies aim to create scalable and cost-effective counter-UAS solutions that can protect naval vessels, ports and critical maritime infrastructure. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026

Frontier’s bundle options can be a more cost-effective way to add the essentials compared with purchasing each item separately. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 July 2026

This system promises to be more efficient, cost-effective (1/5th the price of a car), and faster, significantly reducing traffic and energy consumption. — Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

To truly generate great, cost-effective outcomes, companies need an architectural foundation that closes those leaks. — Sumeet Agrawal, Fortune, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cost-effective

• imperfective
• ineffective
• intellective
• introspective
• irrespective
• nondirective
• nonselective
• retrospective
• unreflective
• advective
• affective
• collective