Uneconomical: meaning, definitions and examples
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uneconomical
[ ʌnˌɛkəˈnɑːmɪkəl ]
financial efficiency
Uneconomical refers to a situation or condition that is not cost-effective or that results in wasteful use of resources. It describes actions or choices that do not yield a favorable financial return or require excessive expenditure compared to the benefits gained. This term can apply to various contexts, including business practices, personal finance, and resource management. When something is deemed uneconomical, it implies that there are more efficient alternatives available.
Synonyms
extravagant, impractical, inefficient, unprofitable, wasteful
Examples of usage
- Investing in that old equipment was utterly uneconomical.
- The uneconomical design of the building increased maintenance costs.
- Choosing a larger vehicle proved to be uneconomical for the family.
- Implementing the new strategy was considered uneconomical after initial assessments.
Translations
Translations of the word "uneconomical" in other languages:
🇵🇹 ineconómico
🇮🇳 अर्थहीन
🇩🇪 unökonomisch
🇮🇩 tidak ekonomis
🇺🇦 неекономний
🇵🇱 nieekonomiczny
🇯🇵 非経済的
🇫🇷 non économique
🇪🇸 no económico
🇹🇷 ekonomik olmayan
🇰🇷 비경제적
🇸🇦 غير اقتصادي
🇨🇿 neekonomický
🇸🇰 neekonomický
🇨🇳 不经济的
🇸🇮 neekonomičen
🇮🇸 óhagkvæmur
🇰🇿 экономикалық емес
🇬🇪 არამხარჯველი
🇦🇿 iqtisadi cəhətdən səmərəsiz
🇲🇽 no económico
Etymology
The term 'uneconomical' has its roots in the late 19th century, derived from the combination of the prefix 'un-' signifying negation and the word 'economical', which originates from the Greek word 'oikonomikos' meaning 'pertaining to household management'. The Greek root 'oikos' translates to 'house' and 'nomos' means 'law' or 'management', which collectively suggests efficiency and prudent resource management in a domestic context. As the language evolved, the term 'economical' was adopted in English to describe practices that maximize savings and minimize waste. The introduction of the prefix 'un-' to form 'uneconomical' reflects the opposite of this idea, indicating practices or decisions that lead to inefficiencies or excessive expenditure. Over time, 'uneconomical' has found usage in various sectors, including business, finance, and environmental discussions, highlighting the necessity for more responsible and sustainable resource usage.