trade-off

/ˈtreɪdˌɔf/
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A choice that gains one benefit by giving up or reducing another.

Examples

  • Better security does not always involve a trade-off in convenience.
  • The cheaper apartment has a longer commute, but that trade-off works for us.
  • Every design decision comes with its own trade-offs.
  • She chose the lighter laptop and accepted shorter battery life as the trade-off.
  • There is a trade-off between speed and accuracy.

Similar words

balance
concession
exchange
compromise

Meanings

Balancing gains and losses

noun
decision-making
neutral
A choice or situation in which getting more of one desirable thing means accepting less of another or taking on a disadvantage.

Examples

  • There is a trade-off between speed and accuracy.
  • The cheaper apartment has a longer commute, but that trade-off works for us.
  • What trade-offs would the new privacy rules require?
  • She chose the lighter laptop and accepted shorter battery life as the trade-off.
  • Better security does not always involve a trade-off in convenience.
  • Every design decision comes with its own trade-offs.

Similar words

Etymology

Formed from the verb phrase trade off, meaning to exchange or balance one thing against another. Online Etymology Dictionary records the noun in its modern sense from 1959.

FAQ

What does trade-off mean?

A trade-off is a choice or situation where gaining one desirable thing means giving up some of another or accepting a disadvantage.

How is trade-off used with "between"?

A trade-off between two things means that improving or choosing one usually reduces the other, as in a trade-off between speed and accuracy.

Is tradeoff the same as trade-off?

Yes. Tradeoff is an alternative spelling of the noun trade-off.

What is the plural of trade-off?

The plural is trade-offs, as in "Every option has trade-offs."

What is the difference between a trade-off and a compromise?

A trade-off focuses on what is gained and lost in a choice, while a compromise often involves people changing their demands to reach agreement.

Where does trade-off come from?

The noun trade-off comes from the verb phrase trade off, meaning to exchange or balance one thing against another.

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