frugality

American  

[froo-gal-i-tee] / fruˈgæl ɪ ti /

Also frugalness

noun

1. the quality of being frugal, or prudent in saving; the lack of wastefulness.

   Many people who have lived through periods of economic deprivation develop lifelong habits of frugality and are almost never tempted by wasteful consumption.

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Other Word Forms

• nonfrugality
  noun
• overfrugality
  noun
• unfrugality
  noun

Etymology

Origin of frugality

First recorded in 1525–35; from French frugalité, from Latin frūgālitāt-, stem of frūgālitās, equivalent to frūgāli(s) “economic” + -tās -ty ² ( def. ); see frugal ( def. )

Explanation

If you try to avoid waste by reusing and repurposing items that most people would throw away, your frugality will save you money. Some people use this word interchangeably with cheapness, but cheapness is an unwillingness to spend, while frugality is an unwillingness to waste. People who show frugality often find ways of making things useful that others do not. Even after the Depression ended, those who lived through it maintained their frugality, using old t-shirts for rags and washed-out cottage cheese containers instead of Tupperware.

Example Sentences

Deloitte’s Food Frugality Index measures the adoption of several cost-saving behaviors.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 13, 2023

Frugality was also a trait learned on the family farm during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

From Washington Times • Nov. 28, 2020

There were a dozen more virtues on his list— Temperance, Silence, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity, and Humility— but he recognized his limits.

From Time • Jul. 10, 2015

Frugality is an ingrained habit among German shoppers, and the businesses that will do best out of their increased confidence may be those that appeal to their desire for a bargain.

From Economist • Jun. 25, 2015

Frugality and Industry will go a great way toward indemnifying us.

From Benjamin Franklin; Self-Revealed, Volume II (of 2) A Biographical and Critical Study Based Mainly on his own Writings by Bruce, Wiliam Cabell

Related Words

• moderation
• prudence
• thrift