Word
economical
Phoneticseco·nom·i·cal
US/ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪkəɫ/
UK/ˌiːkənˈɒmɪkəl/
Definitions
01saving money or resources
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. using very little money, fuel, or time to get a result.
adj. providing good value or service in relation to the amount of time, money, or energy spent.
“A small car is usually more economical to run than a large SUV.”
“The new manufacturing process proved far more economical, reducing energy consumption by thirty percent while maintaining the same output level.”
Pitfall
The country is in an economical crisis.
The country is in an economic crisis.
Use 'economic' for things related to the whole economy of a country. Use 'economical' for things that save money or resources.
Antonyms
02careful with money
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describes a person who is careful not to spend too much money or waste things.
adj. characterised by thrift and the avoidance of waste; prudent in financial management.
“She was very economical and always looked for the best deals at the supermarket.”
“Raised during a period of scarcity, he remained economical throughout his life, rarely purchasing anything that was not strictly necessary.”
Antonyms
03using few words
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. using only a few words to say something clearly.
adj. using no more words or details than are necessary; concise in expression.
“The author's economical writing style makes the story move very quickly.”
“The witness was remarkably economical with his testimony, providing only the essential facts without any unnecessary elaboration or emotional display.”
Antonyms
Confusables
Economic describes the system of trade and finance, while economical describes saving money or resources.
RememberEconomic = The Economy. Economical = Efficient.
Real-World Examples
“Generally speaking, the cheaper the machine, the less likely it is that repairs will be economical.” “That could make advanced tools less wasteful and more economical while preserving the extreme hardness required for industrial use.” Etymology
From economic + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/economical