Origin: Latin suffix -al
Economical has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
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"
of or relating to an economy, the system of production and management of material wealth
"economic growth"
"aspects of social, political, and economical life"
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"
Careful with money so as not to spend too much; prudent; thrifty.
"She is very economical, always fixing things herself rather than paying someone else to do it."
In plain English: Economical means using money, time, or resources carefully so you don't waste them.
"The new car is very economical because it uses less fuel than others in its class."
Usage: Use economical when describing someone who spends money wisely or uses resources sparingly, rather than simply being cheap. This term often contrasts with wastefulness while implying a sense of prudence in consumption.
The word economical comes from combining the root of economic with the suffix -al to mean "pertaining to economy." It entered English as a straightforward formation derived directly from its related term.