economical
adjective
eco·nom·i·cal ˌe-kə-ˈnä-mi-kəl 
ˌē-kə-
1
: marked by careful, efficient, and prudent use of resources : thrifty
an economical shopper
2
: operating with little waste or at a saving
an economical car
3
archaic : economic sense 5
Synonyms
- economizing
- frugal
- provident
- scrimping
- sparing
- thrifty
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
an economical way to heat your house a practical and economical solution to the problem
Recent Examples on the Web Such additions are relatively economical since the network can test for multiple pathogens from a single sample, said Marlene Wolfe, one of the two principal investigators and an assistant professor at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory. 
Robin Fields, ProPublica, 26 July 2022 The majority of processing costs are tied to labor, and Orben said even recycling panels at scale wouldnot be more economical. Rachel Kisela, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2022 In an overcrowded market, where products tend to over-promise and mostly under-deliver, there is something to be said about a vehicle that is breezy to drive, pleasing to occupy and economical to run. Nargess Banks, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2021 Electric cars are fun to drive, economical to operate, and require very little maintenance. Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2021 There are also programs that are meant to support technologies that are not yet economical, such as carbon dioxide sequestration and the production of green hydrogen. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 28 July 2022 The Ukrainians have had to be economical in using their artillery, with the Russians constantly targeting their supply lines. Anchorage Daily News, 13 June 2022 In technical terms, the Agriculture Department has revised the Thrifty Food Plan, a list of two dozen food groups the government uses to estimate the cost of an economical, nutritious diet. Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 16 Aug. 2021 In technical terms, the Agriculture Department has revised the Thrifty Food Plan, a list of two dozen food groups the government uses to estimate the cost of an economical, nutritious diet. BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2021 See More
Robin Fields, ProPublica, 26 July 2022 The majority of processing costs are tied to labor, and Orben said even recycling panels at scale wouldnot be more economical. Rachel Kisela, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2022 In an overcrowded market, where products tend to over-promise and mostly under-deliver, there is something to be said about a vehicle that is breezy to drive, pleasing to occupy and economical to run. Nargess Banks, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2021 Electric cars are fun to drive, economical to operate, and require very little maintenance. Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2021 There are also programs that are meant to support technologies that are not yet economical, such as carbon dioxide sequestration and the production of green hydrogen. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 28 July 2022 The Ukrainians have had to be economical in using their artillery, with the Russians constantly targeting their supply lines. Anchorage Daily News, 13 June 2022 In technical terms, the Agriculture Department has revised the Thrifty Food Plan, a list of two dozen food groups the government uses to estimate the cost of an economical, nutritious diet. Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 16 Aug. 2021 In technical terms, the Agriculture Department has revised the Thrifty Food Plan, a list of two dozen food groups the government uses to estimate the cost of an economical, nutritious diet. BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Phrases Containing economical
Kids Definition
economical
adjective
eco·nom·i·cal ˌe-kə-ˈnä-mi-kəl
ˌē-
1
: using what is available carefully and without waste : frugal
economical cooking
2
: operating with little waste
an economical car
economical
adjective
as in economizing
careful in the management of money or resources we have to be economical in our use of the camp's limited supply of electricity Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- economizing
- frugal
- saving
- thrifty
- prudent
- conserving
- provident
- sparing
- cheap
- scrimping
- preserving
- foresightful
- foresighted
- parsimonious
- forehanded
- spare
- close
- miserly
- tight
- stingy
- stinting
- tightfisted
- penurious
- pinching
- mean
- penny-pinching
- closefisted
- penny-wise
- niggard
- niggardly
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- wasteful
- profligate
- spendthrift
- unthrifty
- liberal
- prodigal
- generous
- improvident
- charitable
- unselfish
- shortsighted
- munificent
- thriftless
- bountiful
- extravagant
- unsparing
- squandering
- indulgent
- lavish
- openhanded
- freehanded
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of economical are frugal, sparing, and thrifty. While all these words mean "careful in the use of one's money or resources," economical stresses prudent management, lack of wastefulness, and use of things to their best advantage.
an economical health-care plan
While the synonyms frugal and economical are close in meaning, frugal implies absence of luxury and simplicity of lifestyle.
ran a frugal household
The meanings of sparing and economical largely overlap; however, sparing stresses abstention and restraint.
sparing in the offering of advice
The words thrifty and economical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, thrifty stresses good management and industry.
thrifty use of nonrenewable resources