What does “frugal” mean in English?

“Frugal” means being very careful with money — not spending more than you need and not wasting things. It is not the same as being poor. A frugal person chooses to spend carefully, even when they have enough money. In this clip about grandparents and money, the speaker talks about “frugal living tips.” Older people often saved a lot and hated to waste things. The word is useful because it describes a choice, not just how much money you have.

“Frugal” can describe a person, a way of living, or a meal: “a frugal meal” is a simple, cheap meal. A close word is “careful with money,” and it usually sounds good — that person is smart about saving. “Frugal” can sometimes sound like a small criticism, as if the person saves too much, but people often use it in a good way too. The opposite of frugal is “wasteful” (you spend too much on things you don’t need).