Frugal
/ˈfruːɡəl/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Frugal describes a way of living or spending where a person avoids waste and tries to save money by using things wisely. It often means choosing simple, low-cost options and not spending more than needed.
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See It in Action
Careful and economical in using money or resources
- •She lives a frugal life, avoiding expensive clothes.
- •Being frugal helped him save enough money to travel.
- •They prepared a frugal meal with simple ingredients.
Avoiding waste in general, including food, time, or materials
- •The company adopted frugal methods to reduce waste.
- •Frugal use of energy can lower electricity bills.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'frugal' like 'careful' with money, but more about saving and avoiding waste
- ✓Picture someone using a small amount of food to make a meal that lasts longer
- ✓It's the feeling when you don’t buy extra things just to save money for something important later
- ✓Sounds like 'FRU-gal' → imagine a fruit (fruit = food) that lasts a long time because you use it carefully
- ✓Think of stories where characters save coins to buy something special instead of spending on small things
- ✓NOT like 'rich' (having a lot of money and spending freely), 'frugal' means spending less and wisely
- ✓NOT like 'cheap' (sometimes meaning low quality), 'frugal' means smart and careful spending, not bad quality
- ✓NOT like 'wasteful' (using too much or throwing away), 'frugal' means using just what you need without extra
Try Other Words
- •Thrifty: careful with money and resources (Use when emphasizing smart saving habits)
- •Economical: using little money or resources (Use when focusing on efficiency and low cost)
- •Sparing: using very little of something (Use when talking about small amounts or limited use)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix) — root word 'frugal'
- •Etymology: From Latin 'frugalis,' meaning 'economical' or 'useful,' related to 'frux,' meaning 'fruit' or 'value'
- •Historical development: First used in English in the 15th century to describe careful use of resources, especially food and money
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe people, habits, or methods that avoid waste and save money or resources
Reflect & Connect
•How can being frugal help someone in difficult financial situations?
•Can being too frugal ever cause problems? When might spending more be better?
Fill in the blanks
1.She is frugal because she wants to ___ money for her future plans.
2.A frugal person usually avoids ___ unnecessary things or expenses.
3.Unlike wasteful spending, frugal habits focus on ___ resources carefully.
4.When someone says they live frugal, they often mean they choose ___ options over expensive ones.
5.Frugal people often ___ their food and energy to avoid waste.
6.Being frugal is different from being cheap because it means spending wisely, not ___.
7.Companies use frugal methods to ___ costs and improve efficiency.