frugally

American  

[froo-guh-lee] / ˈfru gə li /

adverb

1. in an economical way; not wastefully.

   We were accustomed to living frugally, which helped us keep our heads above water through a long period of unemployment.

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Other Word Forms

• nonfrugally
  adverb
• overfrugally
  adverb
• unfrugally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of frugally

frugal ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

While luxury consumption in Europe and the United States has been driven by pandemic-era savings, Chinese consumers have spent more frugally as the post-Covid recovery has stuttered.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

He said Martin had accrued his wealth through inheritance but had lived very frugally.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

The 40-year-old mother of two teenagers said she no longer splurges on the occasional luxury bag, and instead lives frugally, ordering cheap takeout from food delivery apps.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

In recent months, a large number of consumers have been making efforts to shop for groceries frugally.

From Salon • Nov. 9, 2025

Although Laucks, with his great wealth, could have covered everyone’s expenses, he’d frugally pick and choose where, when, and how he wanted to spend his money.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady