trade-off

or trade·off

[ treyd-awf, -of ]

noun

1. the exchange of one thing for another of more or less equal value, especially to effect a compromise.

trade-off

noun

1. an exchange, esp as a compromise

Word History and Origins

Origin of trade-off¹

First recorded in 1960–65; noun use of verb phrase trade off

Idioms and Phrases

Exchange one thing for another, especially as a compromise. For example, They were willing to trade off some vacation for the freedom to work flexible hours . This idiom gave rise to tradeoff for “an exchange.” [First half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

William can probably handle it, but will Kate be as happy to make such a vacation trade-off?

From The Daily Beast

To be sure, the trade-off for adhering to Chinese restrictions is a lucrative market of professionals.

From The Daily Beast

As a trade-off for those funds, Galactic is committed to creating a Spaceport in Abu Dhabi—a place that loves excess.

From The Daily Beast

The problem with religious law, of course, is that it allows for none of these value trade-off discussions.

From The Daily Beast

It's not that they're making a trade-off between this and another piece of jewelry.

From The Daily Beast

Garen was a part of the Mekinese empire which was not encouraged to trade off-planet except through Mekin.

From Project Gutenberg

High prices are an implicit trade-off favouring small, elite, select, rich world clientele.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arbitrate
• intercede
• interfere
• intervene
• negotiate
• resolve

More About Trade-off

What is a trade-off?

A trade-off is an exchange of one thing for another. A trade-off can be literal, involving physical items, like in a lunch trade-off, where you get your friend’s lunch and they get yours.

A trade-off can also be figurative, as when you have to stay home because you’re sick but the trade-off is you get to stay in bed all day. In this sense, a trade-off is a kind of compromise.

Example: The big trade-off to running a marathon is getting to eat a lot of pasta!

Where does trade-off come from?

The first records of the term trade-off come from around 1960. It is a noun form of the verb phrase trade off, which means to exchange one thing for another, usually as a compromise.

A trade-off is often performed to create a compromise. For example, you might give someone something you’d rather keep in exchange to form a relationship or obtain a service. Sometimes trade-off is used to describe a quick exchange that may or may not be suspicious.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to trade-off?

• tradeoff (alternative spelling)

What are some synonyms for trade-off?

• agreement
• arrangement
• compromise
• deal
• exchange

What are some words that share a root or word element with trade-off? 

• trade
• off

What are some words that often get used in discussing trade-off?

• compensation
• compromise
• exchange
• goods
• payment

How is trade-off used in real life?

Trade-off is a common way to describe a compromise.

Almost a month since I quit my job, one month without a salary. I probably earned 1/2 my salary through independent work but I felt I was happier as I got to spend more time with friends, family, travel or do things I genuinely love. Guess it's a good trade-off? Or is it not?

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) November 27, 2019

Twitter limit is going to 280 characters, so can we make email go to 140 as a trade-off?

— George Couros (@gcouros) September 28, 2017

Scale to zero is a trade-off; not a best practice.

— Kelsey Hightower (@kelseyhightower) April 16, 2019

 

 

Try using trade-off!

Is trade-off used correctly in the following sentence?

It rained all day today, but I didn’t have to leave the house, so I guess that’s a fair trade-off.