Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Avoiding waste; efficient in the use of resources: Characterized by careful management of money, time, or materials to avoid unnecessary expenditure or consumption.
   • Relating to the economy or economics: Pertaining to the system of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services in a region.

Usage

• As a descriptor for a person or behavior: It describes someone who is careful not to waste money or resources.
• As a descriptor for a system, product, or method: It describes something that provides good value or service relative to the amount of money, time, or resources spent.

Examples

• Describing a person or behavior:
  • She is an economical shopper who always looks for the best deals.
  • His economical driving style saves a lot of fuel.
• Describing a system or product:
  • This car is very economical on gas.
  • The new heating system is more economical than the old one.
• Relating to the economy:
  • The country is facing various economical challenges. (Note: 'economic' is more common in this sense.)

Advanced Usage

• "Economical with the truth" (Idiom, often euphemistic): To be deliberately vague or misleading, especially by omitting important facts.
  • The politician was accused of being economical with the truth during the interview.

Variants and Related Words

• Economically (adverb): In a way that uses the minimum amount of resources or money.
  • The house is designed economically to reduce energy costs.
• Economics (noun): The social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
• Economy (noun): 1. The state of a country or region in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services. 2. Careful management of available resources.
• Economize (verb): To spend less; to reduce expenses.

Synonyms

• Thrifty: Careful about spending money.
• Frugal: Sparing or economical with regard to money or food.
• Efficient: Achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.
• Cost-effective: Effective or productive in relation to its cost.

Antonyms

• Extravagant: Lacking restraint in spending money or using resources.
• Wasteful: Using or expending something of value carelessly or to no purpose.
• Lavish: Spending or giving in great amounts.

Notes on Usage

• The words economic and economical are related but not identical.
  • Economic primarily relates to the economy or economics (e.g., economic policy, economic growth).
  • Economical primarily means "not wasteful" or "cost-effective." However, as shown in the reference, "economical" can sometimes be used in the sense of "relating to the economy," though this is less common. In modern usage, it is often better to use "economic" for matters directly concerning the economy.

Adjective

1. avoiding waste
   • an economical meal
   • an economical shopper
   • a frugal farmer
   • a frugal lunch
   • a sparing father and a spending son
   • sparing in their use of heat and light
   • stinting in bestowing gifts
   • thrifty because they remember the great Depression
   • `scotch' is used only informally
2. of or relating to an economy, the system of production and management of material wealth
   • economic growth
   • aspects of social, political, and economical life
3. using the minimum of time or resources necessary for effectiveness
   • an economic use of home heating oil
   • a modern economical heating system
   • an economical use of her time