Frugal Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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frugal

[ˈfruːɡ(ə)l ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

living

sparing or economical with regard to money or food.

Synonyms

careful, economical, saving, thrifty.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
frugal	When someone uses their money or resources wisely and avoids waste, often by choosing the simplest, least expensive option. She was very frugal with her money, always looking for sales and discounts They lived a frugal lifestyle, growing their own vegetables and rarely eating out
thrifty	When someone is good at managing money and resources well without being wasteful, often associated with a positive sense of prudence and smart spending. He is a thrifty shopper, always finding the best deals Her thrifty nature helped her save a lot of money over the years
economical	When something is cheap to buy or use, often implying practicality and efficiency; can refer to actions, objects, or choices. The car is very economical, using very little fuel Being economical, he decided to cook at home instead of eating out
saving	When someone puts money aside for future use, typically implying an active effort to accumulate wealth or reserves. She is saving money for her college education They are saving up to buy a new house
careful	When someone pays close attention to detail and tries to avoid mistakes or waste; can apply to various aspects, not just financial. He is careful with his finances, always checking his bank statements She is a careful driver, always aware of her surroundings

Examples of usage

He led a remarkably frugal existence.
she was more frugal than her partner

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

simple

simple and plain and costing little.

Synonyms

basic, modest, plain, unpretentious.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
frugal	Used to describe someone who is careful about spending money or resources. He is very frugal with his expenses and prefers to save rather than spend unnecessarily She lives a frugal lifestyle by cooking at home and avoiding luxury items
basic	Describes something that is simple and not advanced, often just the essentials without any extras. The hotel room was very basic, with just a bed and a small desk His knowledge of French is basic, enough to hold a simple conversation
modest	Indicates simplicity and humility, often in achievements and appearances. She always remains modest about her accomplishments, never boasting about her success They lead a modest life in a small house, without seeking luxury
plain	Refers to something that is simple in appearance and design, without decoration or complexity. She wore a plain dress without any embellishments The meal was plain but filling, consisting of rice and vegetables
unpretentious	Used to describe someone or something that does not try to impress others with an artificial or false appearance of importance. Their home is unpretentious, reflecting their simple and honest lifestyle Despite his success, he remains unpretentious and approachable

Examples of usage

the accommodation was clean and frugal
a frugal meal

^{Context #3 | Noun}

person

a person who is economical with money.

Synonyms

economizer, penny-pincher, saver.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
frugal	Used to describe someone who is careful with their spending and avoids waste, often seen positively as being wise with resources. She is very frugal, always looking for bargains and sales They live a frugal lifestyle, making their own meals and avoiding unnecessary expenses
saver	Describes someone who regularly sets aside money for future use, often seen positively as being financially responsible. She is a dedicated saver, always putting a portion of her salary into a savings account As a saver, he prefers to invest in long-term financial plans
economizer	Refers to someone who makes a conscious effort to reduce costs and save money, often in a specific situation or context. As an economizer, he always finds ways to cut down on electricity bills The company hired an economizer to manage their budget more effectively
penny-pincher	Has a negative connotation and is used to describe someone who is overly reluctant to spend money, often viewed as being excessively stingy or miserly. He’s such a penny-pincher that he refuses to tip at restaurants Calling her a penny-pincher, they complained about her reluctance to contribute to group gifts

Examples of usage

The family are not frugals.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Frugality can be linked to individual personalities; many frugal people are also more risk-averse.
Studies show that frugal individuals often report higher levels of satisfaction with life, due to mindful spending.
The practice of frugality encourages a mindset that values experiences over material possessions.

Culture

Different cultures have different views on frugality; for example, in Scandinavian countries, it's celebrated as a way to achieve social equality.
In the U.S., the Great Depression made frugality a necessity and transformed it into a cultural value.
Many modern trends, like minimalism, promote frugality as a lifestyle choice rather than just a financial strategy.

Finance

Frugal living can lead to significant savings, with many suggesting that simple changes can add up to thousands annually.
The envelope budgeting method, encouraging people to allocate cash for specific expenses, is a popular tool among frugal individuals.
Frugal habits often include cooking at home, buying in bulk, and making use of discounts to stretch each dollar further.

Literature

Frugality is a common theme in classic literature, representing wisdom and foresight, as seen in some works by Charles Dickens.
In modern self-help books, frugality is often framed as a path to financial freedom, emphasizing the importance of making conscious choices.
Many famous quotes promote frugal living, such as 'A penny saved is a penny earned,' reflecting its timeless value.

Origin of 'frugal'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'frugalis', which means 'thrifty' or 'economical'.
In ancient Rome, frugality was seen as a virtue, valued alongside hard work and self-discipline.
The term has evolved over time, with a shift from mere savings to a broader understanding of sustainable living.

The word 'frugal' comes from the Latin word 'frugalis' which means 'virtuous, thrifty'. The concept of frugality has been valued throughout history as a virtue, emphasizing the importance of wise and careful use of resources. Being frugal is often associated with being prudent, practical, and responsible in managing one's finances and resources.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,605, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
19602 temporally
19603 unconcerned
19604 greased
19605 frugal
19606 gentler
19607 telemetry
19608 loathsome
...