FRUGAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does frugal mean? 

• FRUGAL (adjective)
  The adjective FRUGAL has 1 sense:

1. avoiding waste

  Familiarity information: FRUGAL used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FRUGAL (adjective)

Sense 1

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:

frugality; frugalness (prudence in avoiding waste)

 Context examples 

Being such a generous, jovial sign, you don’t like to be frugal.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

I drew a picture of our frugal home, made independent by my labour—sketching in the little house I had seen at Highgate, and my aunt in her room upstairs.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

McFarlane wiped his damp brow, and then continued his narrative: I was shown by this woman into a sitting-room, where a frugal supper was laid out.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

An evening with John over the account books usually produced a temporary lull in the culinary enthusiasm, and a frugal fit would ensue, during which the poor man was put through a course of bread pudding, hash, and warmed-over coffee, which tried his soul, although he bore it with praiseworthy fortitude.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

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)

Saturn has been in your house of earned income since December 2018 and has been teaching you to be frugal and to buy items below retail whenever possible.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

My friend rubbed his thin hands together with an appearance of avidity which was a surprise to me, who knew his frugal tastes.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Pluto is with Jupiter and will amplify Jupiter’s goodness, and Saturn in this sign will make you frugal, disciplined, and determined to see your goals through to the end.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)