economical meaning and definition

ECONOMICAL adjective

Definition of 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"
   • synonyms: 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"
   • synonyms: 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"
   • synonyms: frugal, scotch, sparing, stinting