Word
frugal
Phoneticsfru·gal, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɹuɡəɫ/
UK/fɹˈuːɡəl/
Definitions
01careful with money
C1 · Advanced General-service
adj. careful to use only as much money or food as is necessary.
adj. economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing rather than wasteful.
“He has always been frugal with his earnings, saving most of his paycheck each month.”
“Despite his immense wealth, the entrepreneur maintained a frugal lifestyle, preferring modest accommodations to the luxury hotels his peers frequented.”
Pitfall
He is very frugal of his money.
He is very frugal with his money.
Use the preposition 'with' to indicate the resource being saved.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02simple and inexpensive
C1 · Advanced General-service
adj. small, simple, and costing very little money.
adj. characterized by or reflecting economy; costing little and lacking unnecessary ornament or luxury.
“After a long day of hiking, they enjoyed a frugal meal of bread and cheese.”
“The monks lived on a frugal diet of vegetables and grains, viewing culinary indulgence as a distraction from their spiritual duties.”
Real-World Examples
“The new owner has helped things, too; Sporting KC, once one of the most frugal teams in MLS, have gone on a spending spree.” “But frugal memories and habits, and a sometimes almost reverential respect for material possessions, were embedded in the Silent Generation’s psyche.” Etymology
From Middle French, from Latin frugalis (“virtuous, thrifty”). Displaced native Old English spærhende (literally “spare-handed”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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