DictionaryAI

economical

adjective
ek-uh-NOM-i-kul/ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪkəl/UKee-kuh-NOM-i-kul/ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪkəl/

Often confused with economic

4 meanings of economical

Practice

  1. 1
    adjective
    Using less money, fuel, or other things, so that nothing is wasted.

    Taking the bus is more economical than driving to work every day.

    An economical washing machine uses less water and power.

    Similarcheap, inexpensive, efficient, cost-effective

    Oppositeexpensive, costly, uneconomical, wasteful

  2. 2
    adjective
    Careful with money and not spending more than you need to.

    My dad is economical and fixes things instead of buying new ones.

    She is very economical and always waits for a sale.

    Similarthrifty, frugal, careful, prudent, sparing

    Oppositeextravagant, wasteful

  3. 3
    adjective
    Of a bowler in cricket, letting the other team score only a few runs.

    Their best bowler was very economical and gave away almost no runs.

    The captain wants an economical bowler for the last few overs.

    Oppositeexpensive

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    adjectivedated
    Having to do with the economy or with the study of economics.

    The old professor wrote a long book on economical science.

    Doctor in Economical Sciences.
    2007, Who's Who in the Arab WorldHere, economical means having to do with economics as a field of study.

    Similareconomic

    Note

Practice

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Origin

It is made from economic and -al.