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

Rubino says she’s aiming to economize as much as possible — and that means everything from buying lower-priced candy in bulk to reusing baskets from previous Easters.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

“Once you get this intense level of demand for these goods in a given geographic region, it makes sense to essentially establish a stocking location nearby to economize on transportation costs,” Miller said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Investment in AI will keep boosting stocks, spending by wealthier people will support the economy as the less well-off economize, and uncertainty about trade will diminish, but remain a factor.

From Barron's • Nov. 24, 2025

You figure out what wording makes this joke concise, how to economize with words instead of overtalking, like I’m doing right now.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2025

Helen continued to look for work, and to economize.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen

Related Words

• conserve
• cut down
• scrimp