Frugal
Economical; not wasteful
adjectiveFrugal
Economical; not wasteful
adjectiveImagine This
Being not wasteful, the old lady picks up discounted, bruised fruits from the produce store to make pies. The 'Frugal Gourmet' (TV cooking show) shows the chef using all types of inexpensive ingredients to make very delicious dishes.
Sounds Like
FROO-guhl
Looks Like
Visually resembles 'frugal' and hints at 'fruit' (fru-) as a cue to use resources wisely
Remember This
Frugal comes from Latin frugalis meaning thrifty, prudent, from frux/fructus meaning fruit or produce; related forms include frugality and frugally.
Other Forms
Connect With
thrift, economical, prudent, parsimonious (in a cautious sense)
Note
Avoid confusing with similar-sounding but unrelated words; frugal emphasizes economical use of resources, not stinginess or miserliness.
Study Deeper
- She is frugal in her spending, buying generic brands and using coupons.
- A frugal lifestyle helped them save enough money to travel the world.
From Latin frugalis 'thrifty, prudent', from frux, frugis 'fruit, produce' (hence the link to fruitful living).
Mnemonic: FRUGAL = Fewer Resources Used, Generating A Lifetime of savings.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Prudent
adjectiveCareful; using good judgment and foresight.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.