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. ); frugal ( def. )

Example Sentences

Voter skepticism, political tradition and ingrained frugality loom over the debate, says University of New Hampshire political science professor Dante Scala.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ultimately, the massive speculative capital spending is delivering the exact opposite of what a bond investor requires: safety, certainty and frugality.

From Barron's

It’s not just frugality; it’s a tiny, self-imposed puzzle.

From Salon

When the sage tells her that a wise man possesses three treasures, compassion, frugality and humility, Ishmaelle wonders if she has those qualities.

From Los Angeles Times

Hanne had not been amused by the frugality that characterized our 18 months in New York, a city then and now where some spending money makes a big difference in the quality of life.

From Barron's

Related Words

• moderation
• prudence
• thrift