Frugal

/ˈfruːɡəl/

Meaning & Definition

adjective
Sparing or economical with regard to money or food.
She leads a frugal lifestyle, saving money wherever she can.
Simple and plain; not elaborate or luxurious.
The frugal decoration of the room gave it a cozy feel.
Involving very little expense; requiring few resources.
They planned a frugal wedding to keep costs low.

Etymology

Late Middle English: from Latin frugalis 'fruitful or productive', from frux, frug- 'fruit' or 'produce'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

frugal living
A lifestyle that is characterized by careful management of resources to save money.
frugal meal
A meal that is prepared inexpensively, often using simple ingredients.

Related Words

economy
The careful management of available resources.
thrift
The quality of using money and other resources carefully and not wastefully.

Slang Meanings

Penny-pincher
He’s such a penny-pincher that he wouldn’t even buy a coffee.
Cheapskate
Don't be a cheapskate, sometimes it's okay to spend a little.