Definition

Noun: 1. Prudence in avoiding waste: The quality of being careful and economical in the use of resources, especially money and food. It involves avoiding unnecessary spending and wastefulness. 2. The practice of living simply and without luxury: A lifestyle characterized by simplicity, moderation, and the avoidance of extravagance.

Examples of Usage

• His frugality allowed him to save enough money to buy a house.
• The family's frugality was born out of necessity, not choice.
• She practiced frugality by repairing clothes instead of buying new ones.
• Environmental frugality, like reducing energy use, benefits the planet.

Advanced Usage

• "To practice frugality": To actively live in a frugal manner.
  • They practice frugality by growing their own vegetables.
• "A model of frugality": Used to describe someone who exemplifies this quality.
  • Despite his wealth, the CEO was a model of frugality in the office.

Variants and Related Words

• Frugal (adjective): Characterized by or reflecting economy in the use of resources.
  • He leads a frugal lifestyle.
• Frugally (adverb): In a frugal manner.
  • They live frugally to pay off their debt.

Synonyms

• Thrift: Careful management of money and resources.
• Economy: The careful use of money, resources, or time to avoid waste.
• Parsimony (can have a negative connotation of excessive stinginess): Extreme unwillingness to spend money.
• Prudence: Wisdom and caution in practical matters, including financial ones.

Antonyms

• Extravagance: Lack of restraint in spending money or using resources.
• Wastefulness: Using or expending something carelessly or to no purpose.
• Profligacy: Reckless extravagance or wastefulness.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Waste not, want not": This proverb encapsulates the principle of frugality, meaning that if you do not waste what you have, you will not lack what you need.
• "A penny saved is a penny earned": This saying highlights the value of frugality and saving money.

Noun

1. prudence in avoiding waste