uneconomical

/ˌʌnˌiːkəˈnɒmɪkl/ (bre, ipa) · [ənˌɛkənˈɑmɪkəl] /ˌʌnˌiːkəˈnɑːmɪkl/ (ame, ipa) · [ənˌɛkənˈɑmɪkəl] /ˌən-ˌe-kə-ˈnä-mik How to pronounce uneconomic (audio) -ˌē-kə-/ (ame, mw)

uneconomical — adjective

  • uneconomicalpositive
  • more uneconomicalcomparative
  • most uneconomicalsuperlative

1. Bringing in too little money to cover what it costs, so a business, route, or pr

1.形容詞C1
釋義

Bringing in too little money to cover what it costs, so a business, route, or project loses money.

例句

The cafe stayed uneconomical after rent rose and lunch sales fell.

pattern: business + stay uneconomical

William warned that the late train service was uneconomical for the town.

collocation: uneconomical service

同義詞
  • unprofitable

    The closest synonym when the main point is that a business or project does not earn enough money.

  • loss-making

    Common in business reporting and emphasizes actual financial loss.

  • nonviable

    Stresses that something cannot continue successfully, often for financial reasons.

反義詞
  • profitable

    Used when income is greater than costs.

  • viable

    Stresses that a plan or business can continue successfully.

文法句型

be uneconomical

become uneconomical

make + noun + uneconomical

用法筆記

Usually said of a business, service, route, or project when the money coming in is too low for the costs involved. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about wasting time, fuel, or materials rather than failing to make money.

常見錯誤

❌The handbag is uneconomical because it costs a lot.
✅The handbag is expensive.
💡Sense 1 is about something not making enough money, not simply having a high price.
❌The bakery is uneconomical because it uses too much electricity.
✅The bakery is uneconomical because it is losing money.
💡In sense 1, the focus is profit and costs, not resource waste by itself.

2. Needing extra time, fuel, effort, or material for the same result, so the method

2.形容詞C1
釋義

Needing extra time, fuel, effort, or material for the same result, so the method wastes resources.

例句

Jiwoo found the old heater uneconomical because it burned gas all night.

collocation: uneconomical heater

Printing each page separately is uneconomical when the class needs fifty copies.

pattern: uneconomical method

同義詞
  • wasteful

    The everyday word for using more than necessary and often carrying criticism.

  • inefficient

    Broader and less money-focused, often about poor use of time, energy, or organization.

  • extravagant

    Suggests spending or using resources more freely than is sensible.

反義詞
  • economical

    Used when something saves money or resources.

  • efficient

    Stresses good use of time, effort, or fuel.

文法句型

be uneconomical

be uneconomical to run

find + noun + uneconomical

用法筆記

Often used for methods, machines, travel, or habits that consume more fuel, time, or material than necessary. Common in patterns such as 'uneconomical to run'; unlike sense 1, this sense can apply even when no business profit is involved.

常見錯誤

❌The store is uneconomical because customers stopped coming.
✅The store is uneconomical because it wastes electricity and paper.
💡Sense 2 is about wasteful use of resources; a store that is simply losing money fits sense 1.
❌The old bus is uneconomical because the tickets are expensive.
✅The old bus is uneconomical because it uses too much fuel.
💡Sense 2 focuses on inefficient use, not on the final price paid by passengers.