frugal
19 synonyms and 5 antonyms for frugal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Careful with money; avoiding unnecessary spending or waste.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use frugal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a frugal lifestyle
frugal spending
frugal habits
Etymology
From Latin frugalis, "thrifty, virtuous," via Middle French.
Full origin of frugal →Frequently asked questions
What does “frugal” mean?
The word “frugal” means careful with money; avoiding unnecessary spending or waste. In plain terms, careful with money, spending only on what is necessary.
How do you pronounce “frugal”?
“Frugal” is pronounced FROO-guhl (/ˈfɹuːɡəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “frugal” in a sentence?
Here is “frugal” used in a sentence: “Her frugal habits meant she saved a large part of every paycheck.”
What is another word for “frugal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “frugal” include cheap, economical, thrifty, abstemious, canny and chary.
What is the opposite of “frugal”?
The opposite of “frugal” — its antonyms — are extravagant, lavish, prodigal, spendthrift and simple.
What part of speech is “frugal”?
“Frugal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “frugal” come from?
The word “frugal” comes from Latin. From Latin frugalis, "thrifty, virtuous," via Middle French.
