Dictionary
economical
adjective eco·nom·i·cal \-ˈnä-mi-kəl\
: using money, resources, etc., carefully
—used to describe a product that is not expensive to own and use
Full Definition of ECONOMICAL
1
archaic : economic 1
2
: marked by careful, efficient, and prudent use of resources : thrifty <an economical shopper>
3
: operating with little waste or at a saving <an economical car>
See economical defined for English-language learners
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First Known Use of ECONOMICAL
15th century
Related to ECONOMICAL
- Antonyms
- prodigal, profligate, spendthrift, squandering, thriftless, unthrifty, wasteful
Synonym Discussion of ECONOMICAL
sparing, frugal, thrifty, economical mean careful in the use of one's money or resources. sparing stresses abstention and restraint <sparing in the offering of advice>. frugal implies absence of luxury and simplicity of lifestyle <ran a frugal household>. thrifty stresses good management and industry <thrifty use of nonrenewable resources>. economical stresses prudent management, lack of wastefulness, and use of things to their best advantage <an economical health-care plan>.
Other Economics Terms
Rhymes with ECONOMICAL
ECONOMICAL Defined for Kids
economical
adjective eco·nom·i·cal \ˌe-kə-ˈnä-mi-kəl, ˌē-\
Definition of ECONOMICAL for Kids
1
: using what is available carefully and without waste : frugal <economical cooking>
2
: operating with little waste <an economical car>
— eco·nom·i·cal·ly adverb
Synonym Discussion of ECONOMICAL
economical, thrifty, and sparing mean careful in the use of money or goods. economical means using things in the best possible way without wasting anything. <She's an economical cook who feeds us well.> thrifty is used when someone manages things well and is industrious. <A thrifty shopper can save money.> sparing is used when someone spends or uses as little as possible. <They are very sparing in giving money to charity.>
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