Wiktionary

economical

English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

economic +‎ -al

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

economical (comparative more economical, superlative most economical)

  1. Careful with money so as not to spend too much; prudent; thrifty.
    He was an economical person by nature.
  2. Saving money or resources.
    The new, eco-friendly bicycle was an economical purchase.
    • 1961 March, “The new Glasgow Central signalbox”, in Trains Illustrated, page 177:
      The whole [resignalling] scheme has proved more economical than the construction of a new Clyde bridge.
  3. (dated) Relating to economy in any other sense.
    • 1854, Patrick Edward Dove, The Elements of Political Science‎[1], part 2, page 246:
      In economical science, value and the power of producing value are taken into consideration.
    • 1922, Eugen von Böhm-Bawerk, Capital and Interest: A Critical History of Economical Theory‎[2], page 218:
      By Use, then, in the sense given it by the Say-Hermann school, we have to think of an objective useful element which proceeds from goods, and acquires independent economical existence as well as independent economical value.
    • 2007, Who's Who in the Arab World‎[3], page 312:
      Doctor in Economical Sciences.
    • 2010, New Techniques and Technologies in Mining‎[4], page 20:
      Economical function usually has anti-crisis orientation and forms stable economical development of the state.

Usage notes edit

Modern usage prefers economic when describing the economy of a region or country (and when referring to personal or family budgeting). Economical is preferred when referring to thrift or value for money. Cf. the adjective economy.

Derived terms edit

Translations edit

relating to economy — see economic

See also edit

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