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

Still to come are an accessible junior suite, four two-bedroom family villas, and four smaller standard rooms, which won't have their own pool or terrace but will offer a more economical entry point into the property. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Feb. 2026

Gateway is modified to first repair the old 1910 tunnel immediately and construct a more economical new tunnel (without expensive and unneeded bench walls and cross-connecting passageways) and link it directly into Penn Station. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026

Therefore energy dominance isn’t just an economical policy, its imperative. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026

While cocoa prices have risen dramatically in recent years, a box of chocolates may still be a relatively economical way to navigate Valentine’s Day. —Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 13 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