economize
UK: ɪˈkɒnəmaɪz | US: ɪˈkɑːnəmaɪz
vi. to use resources carefully or sparingly; avoid waste
vt. to manage or allocate resources efficiently
The root "econom" derives from Greek "oikonomia" (oikos<house> + nomos<management>), originally referring to household stewardship. The suffix "-ize" (from Greek "-izein") converts nouns into verbs, implying action. Over time, "economize" evolved from literal household budgeting to broader resource management, reflecting societal shifts toward financial and environmental efficiency.
Families must economize during economic downturns.
The company aims to economize energy by upgrading its systems.
She learned to economize her time by prioritizing tasks.
Governments encourage citizens to economize water in droughts.
The software helps businesses economize operational costs.