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.

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

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

Dec 24, 2025 · frugal (comparative more frugal, superlative most frugal) Of something which is consumed (such as money, goods, etc.): Careful or wise in expenditure; avoiding waste. quotations

frugal meaning, definition, what is frugal: careful to buy only what is necessary: Learn more.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025 fru•gal (fro̅o̅′ gəl), adj. economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful: a frugal manager. …

Members of the ‘Frugal’ community discussed tips for staying frugal, covering everything from meal prepping to doing all your shopping in one designated day a week, and beyond.

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.