Adjective
1. using the minimum of time or resources necessary for effectiveness;
"an economic use of home heating oil""a modern economical heating system""an economical use of her time"2. of or relating to an economy, the system of production and management of material wealth;
"economic growth""aspects of social, political, and economical life"3. avoiding waste;
"an economical meal""an economical shopper""a frugal farmer""a frugal lunch""a sparing father and a spending son""sparing in their use of heat and light""stinting in bestowing gifts""thrifty because they remember the great Depression""`scotch' is used only informally"