economize

[ ih-kon-uh-mahyz ]
See synonyms for economize on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object),e·con·o·mized, e·con·o·miz·ing.
  1. to practice economy; avoid waste or extravagance.

verb (used with object),e·con·o·mized, e·con·o·miz·ing.
  1. to manage economically; use sparingly or frugally.

Origin of economize

1
First recorded in 1640–50; econom(y) + -ize
  • Also especially British, e·con·o·mise .

Other words for economize

Other words from economize

  • un·e·con·o·miz·ing, adjective

Words Nearby economize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use economize in a sentence

  • Now I have often noticed that women who are compelled to economize in little things are inclined to economize in all things.

    Girls and Women | Harriet E. Paine (AKA E. Chester}
  • They economize in the family expenditure; they employ few or no servants, and do plain sewing, dressmaking, and millinery.

    The Education of American Girls | Anna Callender Brackett

British Dictionary definitions for economize

economize

economise

/ (ɪˈkɒnəˌmaɪz) /


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

Derived forms of economize

  • economization or economisation, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012