frugal Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite avoiding waste
    stinting; sparing; scotch; economical.
    • 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

WordNet

Fru"gal adjective
Etymology
L. frugalis, fr. frugi, lit., for fruit; hence, fit for food, useful, proper, temperate, the dative of frux, frugis, fruit, akin to E. fruit: cf. F. frugal. See Fruit, n.
Definitions
  1. Economical in the use or appropriation of resources; not wasteful or lavish; wise in the expenditure or application of force, materials, time, etc.; characterized by frugality; sparing; economical; saving; as, a frugal housekeeper; frugal of time.
    I oft admire How Nature, wise and frugal, could commit Such disproportions. Milton.
  2. Obtained by, or appropriate to, economy; as, a frugal fortune. "Frugal fare." Dryden.

Webster 1913