Today, frugal is used to describe things that reflect a fastidious dedication to foregoing the fancy, as in “he insists on a frugal diet of fungi and fava beans.”

FRUGAL definition: economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful. See examples of frugal used in a sentence.

FRUGAL definition: 1. careful when using money or food, or (of a meal) cheap or small in amount: 2. careful when…. Learn more.

A frugal meal is small and not expensive. The diet was frugal: cheese and water, rice and beans.

Definition of frugal adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Jan 18, 2026 · frugal (comparative more frugal, superlative most frugal) Of something which is consumed (such as money, goods, etc.): Careful or wise in expenditure; avoiding waste.

A person who lives simply and economically can be called frugal. Buying clothes at a consignment shop would be considered frugal. Not getting your mom a gift for her birthday — that's just cheap.

1. Practicing or marked by economy, as in the expenditure of money or the use of material resources. See Synonyms at sparing. 2. Simple or costing little; meager or inexpensive: a frugal lunch.

FRUGAL meaning: 1 : careful about spending money or using things when you do not need to using money or supplies in a very careful way often + with; 2 : simple and plain

FRUGAL meaning: 1. careful when using money or food, or (of a meal) cheap or small in amount: 2. careful when…. Learn more.