economical
UK: ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪkəl | US: ˌiːkəˈnɑːmɪkəl
adj. relating to the careful management of resources to avoid waste
adj. providing good value or service in relation to cost
adj. (of language or style) concise and efficient
economical = econom<household management> + ical<adjective suffix>
- econom: Derived from Greek oikonomia (oikos<house> + nomos<management>), originally referring to household management. Over time, it expanded to broader resource management.
- ical: A suffix forming adjectives, indicating "relating to" or "characterized by."
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Greek oikonomia, combining oikos (house) and nomos (law/managing). It entered English via Latin oeconomia and French économie, initially meaning thrift in household management. By the 19th century, "economical" generalized to efficient resource use in any context, reflecting societal shifts toward industrialization and cost-awareness.
She drives an economical car that consumes less fuel.
The recipe is economical, using inexpensive ingredients creatively.
His writing style is clear and economical, avoiding unnecessary words.
Solar panels are an economical choice for long-term energy savings.
The hotel offers economical rates for budget-conscious travelers.