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economical
3 dictionary results for: economical
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
ec·o·nom·i·cal       [ek-uh-nom-i-kuhl, ee-kuh-] Pronunciation Key
–adjective
1.avoiding waste or extravagance; thrifty: an economical meal; an economical use of interior space.
2.economic.
[Origin: 1570–80; economic + -al1]

—Synonyms 1. saving, provident, sparing, parsimonious. Economical, thrifty, frugal imply careful and saving use of resources. Economical implies prudent planning in the disposition of resources so as to avoid unnecessary waste or expense: economical in budgeting household expenditures. Thrifty is a stronger word than economical, and adds to it the idea of industry and successful management: a thrifty shopper looking for bargains. Frugal emphasizes being saving, sometimes excessively saving, esp. in such matters as food or dress: frugal almost to the point of being stingy.
—Antonyms 1. wasteful, extravagant, spendthrift, prodigal, profligate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
ec·o·nom·i·cal       (ěk'ə-nŏm'ĭ-kəl, ē'kə-)  Pronunciation Key 
adj.  
  1. Prudent and thrifty in management; not wasteful or extravagant. See Synonyms at sparing.
  2. Intended to save money, as by efficient operation or elimination of unnecessary features; economic: an economical heating system; an economical approach to control of corporate growth.

ec'o·nom'i·cal·ly adv.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
economical

adjective
1. 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" [syn: economic] 
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" [syn: economic] 
3. 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" 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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