English Lexicon

Opportunity Cost

/ˌɒp.əˈtjuː.nɪ.ti kɒst/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen.

    "Choosing to invest in stocks instead of bonds involves an opportunity cost, as the potential returns from bonds are foregone."
  2. 2

    A key principle in economics that highlights the trade-offs involved in decision-making.

    "The opportunity cost of attending college is the income you could have earned if you had worked instead."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'opportunity cost' originated in the early 20th century, primarily in economic theory. It combines 'opportunity,' derived from the Latin 'opportunitas,' meaning 'suitability,' and 'cost,' from the Latin 'costa,' meaning 'expense.' The concept emphasizes the potential benefits lost when one alternative is chosen over another.

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10 Global Lexicons: How "Opportunity Cost" is said worldwide

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🇫🇷French → English

Coût d'opportunité

Transliteration: Koo d'opportunité

"Le coût d'opportunité de choisir un emploi à temps plein est le temps que vous auriez pu passer à étudier."

🇩🇪German → English

Opportunitätskosten

Transliteration: Opportunitätskosten

"Die Opportunitätskosten einer Entscheidung sind die Vorteile, die man aufgibt."

🇮🇹Italian → English

Costo opportunità

Transliteration: Costo opportunità

"Il costo opportunità di non investire in azioni è il rendimento che avresti potuto guadagnare."

🇪🇸Spanish → English

Costo de oportunidad

Transliteration: Costo de oportunidad

"El costo de oportunidad de no estudiar es el salario que podrías haber ganado."

🇵🇹Portuguese → English

Custo de oportunidade

Transliteration: Custo de oportunidade

"O custo de oportunidade de escolher um emprego é o tempo que você poderia ter usado para viajar."

🇮🇳Hindi → English

अवसर लागत

Transliteration: Avasar lagat

"कॉलेज जाने की अवसर लागत वह आय है जो आप काम करके कमा सकते थे।"

🇨🇳Chinese → English

机会成本

Transliteration: Jīhuì chéngběn

"选择投资股票的机会成本是放弃的债券收益。"

🇰🇷Korean → English

기회비용

Transliteration: Gihoe biyong

"대학에 가는 기회비용은 일하면서 벌 수 있었던 수입입니다."

🇯🇵Japanese → English

機会費用

Transliteration: Kikai hiyō

"大学に行くことの機会費用は、働いて得られたかもしれない収入です。"

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