economical

[ek-uh-nom-i-kuhl, ee-kuh-]

adjective

1. avoiding waste or extravagance; thrifty.

   an economical meal; an economical use of interior space.

   Synonyms: parsimonious, sparing, provident, saving
   Antonyms: profligate, prodigal, spendthrift, extravagant, wasteful

2. economic.

economical

/ ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪkəl, ˌɛkə- /

adjective

1. using the minimum required; not wasteful of time, effort, resources, etc

   an economical car

   an economical style

2. frugal; thrifty

   she was economical by nature

3. a variant of economic economic economic economic

4. euphemistic,  deliberately withholding information (esp in the phrase economical with the truth )

Other Word Forms

• noneconomical adjective
• noneconomically adverb
• preeconomical adjective
• preeconomically adverb
• pseudoeconomical adjective
• pseudoeconomically adverb
• quasi-economical adjective
• quasi-economically adverb
• uneconomical adjective
• uneconomically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of economical¹

First recorded in 1570–80; economic + -al ¹

Synonym Study

See frugal.

Example Sentences

Additionally, the kits aren’t the most economical choice of “meal” or, even, snack.

From Salon

Each passing week brings a sobering headline about how news organizations are either adapting or shuttering because of rapid economical, technological and cultural shifts, as well as responding to political pressure.

From Los Angeles Times

She said the high costs would fall largely on people in Southern California through their water bills, and that there are better and more economical ways of securing water supplies for the region.

From Los Angeles Times

Because the water flows by gravity, without the need for pumping, the aqueduct has remained the city’s most economical supply.

From Los Angeles Times

This is an economical option for many employers who also use the trucks to transport goods.

From BBC

Related Words

• cost-effective 
• efficient 
• practical 
• prudent