tradeoff Definition
- 1a balance achieved between two desirable but incompatible features; a compromise
- 2the act or process of giving up something in order to gain or achieve something else
Using tradeoff: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "tradeoff" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
There is always a tradeoff between risk and reward.
Example
The company made a tradeoff between cost and quality.
Example
The tradeoff for living in the city is higher rent and less space.
Example
The tradeoff for working fewer hours is a lower salary.
tradeoff Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with tradeoff
to make a compromise between two things that are both desirable but cannot both be had
Example
We had to make a tradeoff between cost and quality when choosing a new supplier.
a decision-making process that involves comparing the costs and benefits of different options
Example
The tradeoff analysis showed that investing in new technology would increase efficiency but also require significant upfront costs.
a graph that shows the relationship between two variables, where increasing one variable requires decreasing the other
Example
The tradeoff curve illustrated that increasing production speed would require sacrificing product quality.
Origins of tradeoff
from 'trade' meaning 'exchange' and 'off' meaning 'away'
Summary: tradeoff in Brief
The term 'tradeoff' [treyd-awf, -of] refers to a balance between two desirable but incompatible features, often achieved through compromise. It can involve giving up something to gain or achieve something else, as in 'The company made a tradeoff between cost and quality.' 'Tradeoff' extends into phrases like 'make a tradeoff,' denoting a decision-making process, and 'tradeoff curve,' illustrating the relationship between two variables.
