- frugality
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careful to buy only what is necessary:
• The pay settlement must be frugal in order to avoid layoffs.
• People who rely on the basic retirement pension must live a frugal existence.
• We're having to be very frugal with our training budget this year.
— frugality noun [uncountable] :• Most departments were being told to cut spending and practise frugality again this year.
— frugally adverb :• If you want to retire young, you'll have to live frugally and invest wisely.
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frugal UK US /ˈfruːgəl/ adjective► careful to use only as much money, food, etc. as is necessary: »He built up his savings by being very frugal.
»frugal habits/living/lifestyle
»frugal energy/water use
frugality noun [U]► »Will consumer spending bounce back after the recession, or is there a new spirit of frugality?
frugally adverb► »It will become necessary to use the Earth's resources more frugally.
Financial and business terms. 2012.