ECONOMICAL

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 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)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Using the minimum of time or resources necessary for effectiveness

Synonyms:

economic; economical

Context example:

an economical use of her time

Similar:

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

Derivation:

economy (an act of economizing; reduction in cost)

economy (the efficient use of resources)

Sense 2

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 example:

aspects of social, political, and economical life

Pertainym:

economy (the system of production and distribution and consumption)

Derivation:

economy (the system of production and distribution and consumption)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Avoiding waste

Synonyms:

economical; frugal; scotch; sparing; stinting

Context example:

'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)

Derivation:

economy (frugality in the expenditure of money or resources)

 Context examples 

He has never learned to be economical or temperate.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Using plants could also be economical.

(Human Heart Cells Grown on Spinach Leaves, VOA News)

Except to the attack on Nanny's cousin, Sir Thomas no longer made any objection, and a more respectable, though less economical rendezvous being accordingly substituted, everything was considered as settled, and the pleasures of so benevolent a scheme were already enjoyed.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

In the morning, after a frugal breakfast of coffee and manioc—we had to be economical of our stores—we held a council of war as to the best method of ascending to the plateau above us.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

She saw them in an instant in their parsonage-house; saw in Lucy, the active, contriving manager, uniting at once a desire of smart appearance with the utmost frugality, and ashamed to be suspected of half her economical practices;—pursuing her own interest in every thought, courting the favour of Colonel Brandon, of Mrs. Jennings, and of every wealthy friend.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

There was need for him to be economical.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Edmund, between his theatrical and his real part, between Miss Crawford's claims and his own conduct, between love and consistency, was equally unobservant; and Mrs. Norris was too busy in contriving and directing the general little matters of the company, superintending their various dresses with economical expedient, for which nobody thanked her, and saving, with delighted integrity, half a crown here and there to the absent Sir Thomas, to have leisure for watching the behaviour, or guarding the happiness of his daughters.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

But he had learned how to be economical, and out of that four dollars he went on saving money.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

He was honest, and faithful, and industrious, and economical.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)