adjective
B2
Upper-Intermediate
frugal
FROO-guhl
Frugal (adjective) means Careful with money; avoiding unnecessary spending or waste. Example: “Her frugal habits meant she saved a large part of every paycheck.”
adjective
1
Careful with money; avoiding unnecessary spending or waste.
"Her frugal habits meant she saved a large part of every paycheck."
"They lived a frugal life, cooking at home and rarely buying new clothes."
How to use frugal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCareful with money, spending only on what is necessary.
Common mistake
Frugal is generally a positive word implying sensible thrift, unlike stingy or cheap, which suggest meanness.
Common pairings
a frugal lifestyle
frugal spending
frugal habits
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more frugal
- Superlative
- most frugal
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her _____ habits meant she saved a large part of every paycheck.
Etymology
From Latin frugalis, "thrifty, virtuous," via Middle French.
Synonyms
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cheap
economical
thrifty
abstemious
canny
chary
moderate
close with a buck
economic
husbandly
huswifely
parsimonious
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for frugal
See all rhymes for 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.
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