economic, economical
(adjective) 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”
economic
(adjective) financially rewarding; “it was no longer economic to keep the factory open”; “have to keep prices high enough to make it economic to continue the service”
economic
(adjective) concerned with worldly necessities of life (especially money); “he wrote the book primarily for economic reasons”; “gave up the large house for economic reasons”; “in economic terms they are very privileged”
economic
(adjective) of or relating to the science of economics; “economic theory”
economic, economical
(adjective) of or relating to an economy, the system of production and management of material wealth; “economic growth”; “aspects of social, political, and economical life”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
economic (comparative more economic, superlative most economic)
Pertaining to an economy.
Frugal; cheap (in the sense of representing good value); economical.
Pertaining to the study of money and its movement.
Modern usage prefers economic when describing the economy of a region or country (and when referring to personal or family budgeting).
Economical is preferred when referring to thrift or value for money.
• oncomice
Source: Wiktionary
E`co*nom"ic, E`co*nom"ic*al, a. Etym: [F. Ă©conomique, L. oeconomicus orderly, methodical, Gr. Economy.]
1. Pertaining to the household; domestic. "In this economical misfortune [of ill-assorted matrimony.]" Milton.
2. Relating to domestic economy, or to the management of household affairs. And doth employ her economic art And busy care, her household to preserve. Sir J. Davies.
3. Managing with frugality; guarding against waste or unnecessary expense; careful and frugal in management and in expenditure; -- said of character or habits. Just rich enough, with economic care, To save a pittance. Harte.
4. Managed with frugality; not marked with waste or extravagance; frugal; -- said of acts; saving; as, an economical use of money or of time.
5. Relating to the means of living, or the resources and wealth of a country; relating to political economy; as, economic purposes; economical truths. These matters economical and political. J. C. Shairp. There was no economical distress in England to prompt the enterprises of colonization. Palfrey. Economic questions, such as money, usury, taxes, lands, and the employment of the people. H. C. Baird.
6. Regulative; relating to the adaptation of means to an end. Grew.
Note: Economical is the usual form when meaning frugal, saving; economic is the form commonly used when meaning pertaining to the management of a household, or of public affairs.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
6 February 2025
(verb) make (substances) hard and improve their usability; “cure resin”; “cure cement”; “cure soap”
The Boston Tea Party helped popularize coffee in America. The hefty tea tax imposed on the colonies in 1773 resulted in America switching from tea to coffee. In the lead up to the Revolutionary War, it became patriotic to sip java instead of tea. The Civil War made the drink more pervasive. Coffee helped energize tired troops, and drinking it became an expression of freedom.
