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

"It's very economical; you can pump out a lot," she says, noting that if the bacterium is producing something toxic to the cells, tolerance can often be engineered in.

From BBC

No 10 sources believe Mandelson was "economical with the truth" in his answers to the three questions.

From BBC

The peer, I'm told, replied to those questions in an email in which Downing Street sources now say he was "economical with the truth".

From BBC

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

Related Words

• cost-effective 
• efficient 
• practical 
• prudent