economize
B2Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
To use less of something, especially money or resources; to reduce expenditure.
To be frugal or prudent in the use of any resource, including time, energy, or materials; to eliminate wastefulness.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb implies intentionality and conscious effort to reduce consumption or cost. Often carries a positive connotation of prudence and responsibility.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'economise' is standard in British English, while 'economize' is standard in American English. The '-ize' ending is also acceptable in modern British English but '-ise' is more common.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. Slightly more formal than 'save money'.
Frequency
More common in written and formal contexts than in casual speech in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Intransitive] They had to economize.[Intransitive + on + NP] We must economize on electricity.[Transitive] The new design economizes fuel.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Tighten your belt”
- “Cut your coat according to your cloth”
- “Watch the pennies”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in reports and strategies to describe cost-cutting measures: 'The company plans to economize by consolidating departments.'
Academic
Found in economic, environmental, and engineering texts discussing resource management.
Everyday
Used in personal finance contexts: 'Since the baby arrived, we've had to economize.'
Technical
In engineering, refers to making a system or process more efficient with fewer inputs.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- During the recession, families had to economise on heating.
- The council is looking for ways to economise without cutting services.
- This new boiler economises on gas consumption.
American English
- We need to economize on office supplies this quarter.
- The software update economizes battery life significantly.
- She economized by making her own lunches.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandmother economizes by turning off all the lights.
- We economize by buying food in bulk.
- To pay for the holiday, we must economize for a few months.
- The school economized by using both sides of the paper.
- The government's policy forces hospitals to economize on staff.
- Engineers designed a engine that economizes fuel by 20%.
- Facing a budget deficit, the institution was compelled to economize drastically across all departments.
- The novelist economizes language, achieving profound effects with minimal prose.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ECO-nomize' your money to help the ECO-system of your wallet.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCES ARE A LIMITED BUDGET (to be managed carefully).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'экономить' in all contexts. 'Economize' is more about active reduction, while 'экономить' can mean simply 'to save' without active cutting. Do not use for 'to save time' (use 'save time').
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'We need to economize our money.' (Preferred: 'We need to economize.' or 'We need to economize on expenses.')
- Incorrect preposition: 'economize for' (Correct: 'economize on').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'economize' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. Intransitive: 'We must economize.' Transitive (less common): 'This system economizes water.' More commonly used with 'on' + object: 'economize on paper'.
'Save' is broader and more common, meaning to keep or set aside. 'Economize' specifically means to reduce consumption or spending, often implying a degree of effort or sacrifice. 'Economize' is more formal.
Yes, in American English the standard spelling is 'economize' with a 'z'. Using 'economise' would be considered a British spelling.
Yes, it typically has a positive or neutral connotation of being prudent, responsible, and efficient. It is not inherently negative like 'skimp' or 'scrimp' can be.