'Economical' definitions:

Definition of 'economical'

From: WordNet
adjective
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, economical]
adjective
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, economical]
adjective
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" [syn: economical, frugal, scotch, sparing, stinting]

Definition of 'Economical'

From: GCIDE
  • Economic \E`co*nom"ic\ (?; 277), Economical \E`co*nom"ic*al\, a. [F. ['e]conomique, L. oeconomicus orderly, methodical, Gr. ? economical. See Economy.]
  • 1. Pertaining to the household; domestic. "In this economical misfortune [of ill-assorted matrimony.]" --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Relating to domestic economy, or to the management of household affairs. [1913 Webster]
  • And doth employ her economic art And busy care, her household to preserve. --Sir J. Davies. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Managing with frugality; guarding against waste or unnecessary expense; careful and frugal in management and in expenditure; -- said of character or habits. [1913 Webster]
  • Just rich enough, with economic care, To save a pittance. --Harte. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Managed with frugality; not marked with waste or extravagance; using the minimum of time or effort or resources required for effectiveness; frugal; -- said of acts; saving; as, an economical use of money or of time; an economic use of home heating oil. [WordNet sense 3] [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]
  • 5. of or pertaining to the national or regional economy; relating to political economy; relating to the means of living, or the resources and wealth of a country; relating to the production or consumption of goods and services of a nation or region; as, economic growth; economic purposes; economical truths; an economic downturn. [1913 Webster]
  • These matters economical and political. --J. C. Shairp. [1913 Webster]
  • There was no economical distress in England to prompt the enterprises of colonization. --Palfrey. [1913 Webster]
  • Economic questions, such as money, usury, taxes, lands, and the employment of the people. --H. C. Baird. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. Regulative; relating to the adaptation of means to an end. --Grew. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. of or pertaining to economics. economic theory [WordNet 1.5]
  • 8. profitable. Opposite of uneconomic. [WordNet sense 4] [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
  • 9. avoiding waste; as, an economical meal. Opposite of wasteful.
  • Syn: frugal, scotch, sparing, stinting, thrifty. [WordNet 1.5]
  • Note: Economical is the usual form when meaning frugal, saving; economic is the form commonly used when meaning pertaining to the management of a household, or of public affairs. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Economical'