The word "uneconomical" is spelled with the prefix "un-" which means "not" or "lacking", and the root word "economical" which means "efficient with money or resources". The word is pronounced as /ʌnɪˈkɒnəmɪkəl/ with the stress on the second syllable. The first syllable is pronounced as "un" and the second syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, followed by "ko-nuh-mi-kuhl". The final syllable is pronounced as "kuhl". Overall, the word means not cost-effective or wasteful.
The term "uneconomical" refers to something that is not cost-effective, inefficient, or wasteful in terms of resources, money, or time. It describes a situation, action, or decision that does not yield benefits or value proportional to the resources utilized.
In an economic context, "uneconomical" typically pertains to activities that are not financially advantageous. For instance, when referring to a product or service, it implies excessive costs in relation to the benefits it offers. This could be due to high production or operational expenses, low demand, impracticality, or inadequacy in meeting consumer needs. Consequently, an uneconomical venture may struggle to generate profit or may result in financial loss.
The term can also be used to discuss inefficient use of resources. In this sense, it signifies wastefulness or excessive consumption without adequate results. For example, an uneconomical vehicle could have high fuel consumption relative to its performance, making it less viable or practical to operate.
Furthermore, "uneconomical" can be used metaphorically to describe any activity or decision that consumes too much time or effort relative to the achieved outcome. This applies not only to economic matters but also to personal or professional endeavors. It suggests that one should invest resources more wisely to accomplish goals effectively and efficiently.
To summarize, "uneconomical" signifies inefficiency, wastefulness, or lack of cost-effectiveness. Whether in an economic or broader sense, it implies that resources, money, or time are not utilized optimally or productively, resulting in disproportionate outcomes.
The word "uneconomical" is derived from the combination of the prefix "un-", meaning "not", and the adjective "economical".
The adjective "economical" originates from the noun "economy", which dates back to the mid-16th century. "Economy" comes from the Latin word "oikonomia", borrowed from the Greek "oikonomia", meaning "management of a household". This term is a compound word of "oikos", meaning "house", and "nomos", meaning "law" or "management".
Over time, "economical" emerged as an adjective, first recorded during the late 16th century, and it refers to something efficient and cost-effective.