ECONOMICAL

Pronunciation (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does economical mean? 

• ECONOMICAL (adjective)
  The adjective ECONOMICAL has 3 senses:

1. using the minimum of time or resources necessary for effectiveness
2. of or relating to an economy, the system of production and management of material wealth
3. avoiding waste

  Familiarity information: ECONOMICAL used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ECONOMICAL (adjective)

Meaning:

Using the minimum of time or resources necessary for effectiveness

Synonyms:

economical; economic

Context examples:

an economic use of home heating oil / a modern economical heating system / an economical use of her time

Similar:

efficient (being effective without wasting time or effort or expense)

Meaning:

Of or relating to an economy, the system of production and management of material wealth

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

economic; economical

Context examples:

economic growth / aspects of social, political, and economical life

Pertainym:

economy (the system of production and distribution and consumption)

Meaning:

Avoiding waste

Synonyms:

frugal; sparing; stinting; scotch; economical

Context examples:

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

Similar:

thrifty (careful and diligent in the use of resources)

Domain usage:

colloquialism (a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech)