cost-justify: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Business/Technical
Quick answer
What does “cost-justify” mean?
To demonstrate that the benefits or profits of something are sufficient to warrant its expense.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To demonstrate that the benefits or profits of something are sufficient to warrant its expense.
To provide a financial or economic rationale for an expenditure by showing that the returns, either monetary or in terms of value, outweigh the costs; often involves formal analysis in business contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling remains hyphenated in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral in both, associated with corporate finance, project management, and procurement.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American business English, but common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “cost-justify” in a Sentence
[Subject] cost-justifies [Object][Object] is cost-justified by [Subject/Agent]It is difficult/easy to cost-justify [Object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cost-justify” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The firm must cost-justify any capital expenditure over £50,000.
- We couldn't cost-justify the consultancy fees.
- The new safety system was cost-justified by the reduction in insurance premiums.
American English
- Management needs to cost-justify the IT upgrade before approval.
- The report failed to cost-justify the additional staff.
- How do you cost-justify such a large marketing spend?
adverb
British English
- The project proceeded cost-justifiably after the review.
- The expense was, quite cost-justifiably, rejected.
American English
- The equipment was purchased cost-justifiably.
- They argued cost-justifiably for the budget increase.
adjective
British English
- A cost-justified proposal is more likely to get funding.
- There was no cost-justified reason for the delay.
American English
- We only pursue cost-justified initiatives.
- The analysis provided a cost-justified argument for the merger.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Primary context. Used in proposals, budget reviews, and investment discussions. 'The board required us to cost-justify the new software platform.'
Academic
Used in economics, management, and engineering papers discussing project feasibility.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used humorously or in personal finance discussions about major purchases.
Technical
Common in engineering, IT, and procurement when evaluating equipment or system purchases.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cost-justify”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cost-justify”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cost-justify”
- Using 'cost justify' without the hyphen (less standard).
- Confusing with 'cost-effective' (which is an adjective describing the result of being cost-justified).
- Using it for trivial, non-financial justifications (e.g., 'I cost-justified eating the cake').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a hyphenated compound verb: 'cost-justify'. In formal writing, the hyphen should be used.
Primarily, no. Its core is financial/economic justification. However, in business, non-financial benefits (like improved morale) might be part of the argument if they can be linked to financial outcomes (e.g., reduced staff turnover costs).
'Justify' is broader and can be moral, logical, or practical. 'Cost-justify' is a specific subset, focusing solely on demonstrating financial viability or that the monetary benefits exceed the costs.
Yes. The regular verb forms apply: cost-justify, cost-justifies, cost-justifying, cost-justified.
To demonstrate that the benefits or profits of something are sufficient to warrant its expense.
Cost-justify is usually formal, business/technical in register.
Cost-justify: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒst ˌdʒʌstɪfaɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːst ˌdʒʌstɪfaɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The numbers don't cost-justify it.”
- “You can't cost-justify a Rolls-Royce for delivering pizzas.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Can the COST be JUSTIFIED? Is it worth the price?' The hyphen links the question to the action.
Conceptual Metaphor
JUSTIFICATION AS A FINANCIAL BALANCE SHEET (weighing costs against benefits on a scale).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'cost-justify' LEAST likely to be used?