economically
Americanadverb
-
in a thrifty or frugal manner; with economy.
-
as regards the efficient use of income and wealth.
economically feasible proposals.
-
as regards one's personal resources of money.
He's quite well off economically.
adverb
-
with economy or thrift; without waste
-
with regard to the economy of a person, country, etc
Etymology
Origin of economically
First recorded in 1690–1700; economical + -ly
Explanation
If you do something economically, you do it in an efficient manner. Acting economically wastes no money or effort. Though variations of this word often relate to the economy — the financial system — to be economical also means to be thrifty in other senses. For example, if you do your homework economically, you do it quickly and correctly, without wasted energy or time. If you run errands economically, you take the shortest route and don't get sidetracked. If you take a road trip economically, you drive across the country as fast as possible and in a straightforward manner, without deviations.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Such punishing rates are economically harmful, and Wisconsin doesn’t need a reason beyond winter weather for residents to flee to Florida or Arizona.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026
It could play a similar role as Vietnam's economically powerful military did in that country's transition, the officer said.
From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026
The real challenge is finding deposits where they occur in concentrations high enough to make extraction economically practical.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 24, 2026
And sometimes those emotional decisions are economically rational, too.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
But the zoos’ rigorous selection of California condors shows no prospects of yielding an economically useful product.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
