Economic vs economical
Economic usually means having to do with the economy or economics, like economic growth. Economical means saving money or resources, so nothing is wasted.
Economical ends in al, like frugal.
economic adjective
Having to do with how a country or region makes, sells, and uses money and goods.
- The new policy is expected to boost economic activity across the region.
- Many families are worried about the economic situation.
economical adjective
Using less money, fuel, or other things, so that nothing is wasted.
- Buying in bulk is more economical than picking up small packages every week.
- My grandmother was economical by habit and never threw away a usable jar.
Watch out
- Economic can also mean profitable, making enough money for a business or service to be worth running. For cheap or not wasteful, use economical: many usage guides call economic a mistake there.It is no longer economic to repair these old machines.
- Using economical to mean related to the economy is dated. Use economic for that meaning.
Test yourself
The country is facing a serious blank crisis.
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economic. The crisis is about the country's economy, so economic.
She wants to study blank history at college.
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economic. It is history related to economics, so economic.
The new engine is much more blank with fuel.
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economical. It uses less fuel than other engines, so economical.
Taking the bus to work is more blank than driving every day.
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economical. It costs less money, so economical.
Full entries: economiceconomical