{ } a. [ F. économique, L. oeconomicus orderly, methodical, Gr. &unr_; economical. See Economy. ] 1. Pertaining to the household; domestic. “In this economical misfortune [ of ill-assorted matrimony. ]” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Relating to domestic economy, or to the management of household affairs. [ 1913 Webster ] And doth employ her economic art
And busy care, her household to preserve. Sir J. Davies. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Managing with frugality; guarding against waste or unnecessary expense; careful and frugal in management and in expenditure; -- said of character or habits. [ 1913 Webster ] Just rich enough, with economic care,
To save a pittance. Harte. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Managed with frugality; not marked with waste or extravagance; using the minimum of time or effort or resources required for effectiveness; frugal; -- said of acts; saving; as, an economical use of money or of time; an economic use of home heating oil. [ wns=3 ] [ 1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5 ] 5. of or pertaining to the national or regional economy; relating to political economy; relating to the means of living, or the resources and wealth of a country; relating to the production or consumption of goods and services of a nation or region; as, economic growth; economic purposes; economical truths; an economic downturn. [ 1913 Webster ] These matters economical and political. J. C. Shairp. [ 1913 Webster ] There was no economical distress in England to prompt the enterprises of colonization. Palfrey. [ 1913 Webster ] Economic questions, such as money, usury, taxes, lands, and the employment of the people. H. C. Baird. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. Regulative; relating to the adaptation of means to an end. Grew. [ 1913 Webster ] 7. of or pertaining to economics. economic theory [ WordNet 1.5 ] 8. profitable. Opposite of uneconomic. [ wns=4 ] [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ] 9. avoiding waste; as, an economical meal. Opposite of wasteful.
Syn. -- frugal, scotch, sparing, stinting, thrifty. [ WordNet 1.5 ] ☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ] Variants: Economic | 
