economical

adjective

eco·​nom·​i·​cal ˌe-kə-ˈnä-mi-kəl 

ˌē-kə-

1

: marked by careful, efficient, and prudent use of resources : thrifty

an economical shopper

2

: operating with little waste or at a saving

an economical car

3

archaic : economic sense 5

Synonyms of economical

• economizing
• saving
• frugal
• thrifty
• prudent
• conserving
• provident
• sparing

Choose the Right Synonym for economical

sparing, frugal, thrifty, economical mean careful in the use of one's money or resources.

sparing stresses abstention and restraint.

sparing in the offering of advice

frugal implies absence of luxury and simplicity of lifestyle.

ran a frugal household

thrifty stresses good management and industry.

thrifty use of nonrenewable resources

economical stresses prudent management, lack of wastefulness, and use of things to their best advantage.

an economical health care plan

Examples of economical in a Sentence

an economical way to heat your house

a practical and economical solution to the problem

Recent Examples on the Web

The new tunnel should also be economical, without expensive and unneeded bench walls. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026

This retro classic had its heyday in the ’50s and ’60s as an economical casserole, often built around leftover chicken and a can of mushroom soup. —Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2026

This can be a strong value when evaluating price per person and per day, especially for longer trips or economical rooms. —Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026

Ecological and economical practicality By replacing fossil-fuel boilers with a system that utilizes electricity when prices are at their lowest, companies can finally align their ecological goals with economic practicality. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin oeconomicus "relating to domestic affairs, economic" + -al entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing economical

• economical prices

Rhymes for economical

• anatomical
• astronomical
• comical
• neuroanatomical
• uneconomical

Kids Definition

economical

adjective

ec·​o·​nom·​i·​cal

ˌek-ə-ˈnäm-i-kəl, 

ˌē-kə-

1

: using resources with care and without waste

2

: operating with little waste or at a savings

an economical car

economically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb