economize

American  

[ih-kon-uh-mahyz] / ɪˈkɒn əˌmaɪz /

especially British, economise

verb (used without object)

economized, economizing

1. to practice economy; avoid waste or extravagance.

   Synonyms:

   husband, conserve, save

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verb (used with object)

economized, economizing

1. to manage economically; use sparingly or frugally.

   Synonyms:

   husband, conserve, save

economize British  

/ ɪˈkɒnəˌmaɪz /

verb

1. (often foll by on) to limit or reduce (expense, waste, etc)

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Other Word Forms

• economization
  noun
• uneconomizing
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of economize

First recorded in 1640–50; econom(y) + -ize

Explanation

To economize is to be frugal — to be careful not to waste anything, including money. You may need to economize on heating oil, keeping the temperature in your apartment on the nippy side during the winter. Giving a kid an allowance is one way to teach her to economize, spending it carefully in an attempt to save some and make the rest last. Unless money is no object, most people need to economize to some extent, being frugal and avoiding waste. In the 17th century, to economize was "to govern a household," from economy, at the time "household management," from the Greek oikonomia, "household management or thrift."

Example Sentences

Economize on food by eating breakfast in your room or rental and packing picnic lunches.

From New York Times • Mar. 31, 2023

Economize in other ways, not on good food and comfortable lodgings.

From Washington Post • Apr. 16, 2015

There's not enough for this and that, Make thy option which of two; Economize the failing river, Not the less revere the Giver; Leave the many, and hold the few.

From Louisa May Alcott : Her Life, Letters, and Journals by Alcott, Louisa May

How to Economize Effort The fact is that to be a truly busy man you must be never in a hurry.

From Initiative Psychic Energy Being the Sixth of a Series of Twelve Volumes on the Applications of Psychology to the Problems of Personal and Business Efficiency by Hilton, Warren

There’s not enough for this and that, Make thy option which of two; Economize the failing river, Not the less revere the Giver, Leave the many and hold the few.

From May-Day and Other Pieces by Emerson, Ralph Waldo

Related Words

• conserve
• cut down
• scrimp