adj. 1. Designed or functioning to make effective use of money or effort invested: an economical heating system; an economical approach to control of corporate growth. 2. Prudent and thrifty in management; not wasteful or extravagant. See Synonyms at sparing. 3. Sparing in the amount of items involved to achieve a desired result: an economical writing style; threw an economical 12 pitches in the first inning. ec′o·nomi·cal·ly adv. |
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