economical

comparative more economical · superlative most economical · alternative obsolete economicall · alternative obsolete œconomicall · alternative archaic œconomical

1. Careful with money so as not to spend too much; prudent; thrifty.

   He was an economical person by nature.

   Synonyms: abstemious, penny-pinching, sparing, abstemious, canny, chary, moderate, cheap

2. Saving money or resources.

   The new, eco-friendly bicycle was an economical purchase.

   2 more examples

   Regular freight trains between Abergavenny and Merthyr were withdrawn on November 24, 1954, because it was found both practicable and more economical to send this traffic by less severely-graded routes.

   1958 February 28, “Notes and News: Merthyr-Abergavenny Service”, in Railway Magazine, page 138

   The whole [resignalling] scheme has proved more economical than the construction of a new Clyde bridge.

   1961 March, “The new Glasgow Central signalbox”, in Trains Illustrated, page 177

   Synonyms: bargainous, inexpensive, low-cost, bargainous, brand X, budget, cheap, cheapie

3. datedRelating to economy in any other sense.

   Doctor in Economical Sciences.

   2007, Who's Who in the Arab World, page 312

   3 more examples

   In economical science, value and the power of producing value are taken into consideration.

   1854, Patrick Edward Dove, The Elements of Political Science, part 2, page 246

   By Use, then, in the sense given it by the Say-Hermann school, we have to think of an objective useful element which proceeds from goods, and acquires independent economical existence as well as independent economical value.

   1922, Eugen von Böhm-Bawerk, Capital and Interest: A Critical History of Economical Theory, page 218

   Economical function usually has anti-crisis orientation and forms stable economical development of the state.

   2010, New Techniques and Technologies in Mining, page 20

4. ball gamesHaving a low economy rate.

   Antonyms: expensive