adjective
frugal
FROO-guhl
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
Word Forms
more frugal comparative, most frugal superlative
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Her _____ habits meant she saved a large part of every paycheck.
Etymology
From Latin frugalis, "thrifty, virtuous," via Middle French.