ec ‧ o ‧ nom ‧ i ‧ cal AC /ˌekəˈnɒmɪk ə l, ˌiː- $ -ˈnɑː-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ economics , ↑ economist , ↑ economy ; adjective : ↑ economic , ↑ economical ≠ UNECONOMIC(AL) , ↑ economy ; verb : ↑ economize ; adverb : ↑ economically ≠ ↑ uneconomically ]
1 . using money, time, goods etc carefully and without wasting any ⇨ economic :
A small car is more economical to run.
good-quality clothes at economical prices
2 . economical with the truth used humorously to say that someone is not telling the truth
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THESAURUS
▪ cheap costing very little money, or less than you expected:
My shoes were really cheap – they only cost £25.
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The cheapest way to get to Chicago is to take the bus.
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cheap flights
▪ low low prices, rents, and fees do not cost a lot of money. Do not use cheap with these words:
Why is the share price so low?
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You could get equally good accommodation elsewhere at a lower rent.
▪ inexpensive especially written not expensive – use this especially about things that are of good quality, even though they do not cost a lot:
The furniture is inexpensive, but well made.
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a simple inexpensive meal
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a hotel that offers air-conditioned rooms at relatively inexpensive prices
▪ reasonable a reasonable price seems fair because it is not too high:
The restaurant serves good food at reasonable prices.
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Only £25 a night? That sounds reasonable.
▪ economical cheap because you do not need to use a lot of money or fuel:
an economical car
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It is usually more economical to buy in large quantities.
▪ affordable cheap enough for most people to be able to buy or pay for:
affordable housing
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Single mothers often have trouble finding affordable childcare.
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The shop sells designer fashions at affordable prices.
▪ competitive competitive prices and rates are as low as those charged by other shops or companies:
I think you’ll find our prices are extremely competitive.
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The hotel offers a high standard of service at very competitive rates.
▪ budget [only before noun] budget flights, airlines, hotels etc have specially low prices:
You can get a budget flight to Amsterdam for only £19.
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a list of budget hotels for under $50 a night
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budget accommodation for families with young children
▪ be good/great value to be worth at least the price you pay for it, so that you feel pleased and think you have spent your money well:
The meals at Charlie’s Pizza are really good value.
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The holiday is great value for money.
▪ be a bargain informal to be extremely cheap:
I got this shirt when I was in Indonesia. It was a real bargain.