labour-saving

IPA/ˈleɪbə seɪvɪŋ/
IPA/ˈleɪbər seɪvɪŋ/

labour-saving — adjective

1. created or designed so that everyday jobs can be done with less physical effort

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

created or designed so that everyday jobs can be done with less physical effort or in less time than was previously needed.

Example

Priya bought a labour-saving dishwasher so she could spend more time with her children.

labour-saving + noun (household appliance)

The warehouse team adopted labour-saving methods that cut packing time in half.

labour-saving + noun (method/process)

Common collocations
  • labour-saving device
  • labour-saving method
  • labour-saving technology
  • labour-saving gadget
  • labour-saving machine
  • labour-saving tool
  • labour-saving equipment
Synonyms
  • time-saving

    focuses specifically on reducing time rather than physical effort

  • efficient

    broader term; describes any system that wastes little time or energy

  • automated

    emphasizes that a machine does the work without human intervention

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

labour-saving + noun

Usage Note

Almost always used before a noun (attributive position) to describe a device, tool, or method. Common in both household and workplace contexts.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe something that reduces waste, but they highlight different aspects. Labour-saving is the most concrete: it refers specifically to a tool, machine, or method that cuts physical work or time — a dishwasher is labour-saving because it scrubs dishes by itself. Time-saving focuses narrowly on speed; a faster internet connection is time-saving but not necessarily labour-saving. Efficient is much broader and can apply to any system or person who uses resources well, whether or not a machine is involved. Automated stresses that a process runs without human effort — a factory robot is automated, but a well-organised filing system is not. Use labour-saving when the main benefit is doing less physical work; use time-saving when speed is the point.

labour-saving ↗time-saving ↗efficient ↗automated ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Etymology

English

Formed by combining the noun 'labour' (physical or mental work) with the adjective 'saving' (preventing waste or reducing use). The compound pattern dates from the 19th century, when the Industrial Revolution created many new machines that were marketed as ways to reduce human effort in factories and homes.