using the minimum of time or resources necessary for effectiveness; "an economic use of home heating oil"; "a modern economical heating system"; "an economical use of her time"
financially rewarding; "it was no longer economic to keep the factory open"; "have to keep prices high enough to make it economic to continue the service"
concerned with worldly necessities of life (especially money); "he wrote the book primarily for economic reasons"; "gave up the large house for economic reasons"; "in economic terms they are very privileged"
of or relating to the science of economics; "economic theory"
of or relating to an economy, the system of production and management of material wealth; "economic growth"; "aspects of social, political, and economical life"
avoiding waste; "an economical meal"; "an economical shopper"; "a frugal farmer"; "a frugal lunch"; "a sparing father and a spending son"; "sparing in their use of heat and light"; "stinting in bestowing gifts"; "thrifty because they remember the great Depression"; "`scotch' is used only informally"
acting or moving or capable of acting or moving quickly; "fast film"; "on the fast track in school"; "set a fast pace"; "a fast car"
at a rapid tempo; "the band played a fast fox trot"
(used of timepieces) indicating a time ahead of or later than the correct time; "my watch is fast"
securely fixed in place; "the post was still firm after being hit by the car"
resistant to destruction or fading; "fast colors"
(of surfaces) conducive to rapid speeds; "a fast road"; "grass courts are faster than clay"
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form); "how fast can he get here?"; "ran as fast as he could"; "needs medical help fast"; "fast-running rivers"; "fast-breaking news"; "fast-opening (or fast-closing) shutters"
firmly or tightly; "held fast to the rope"; "her foot was stuck fast"; "held tight"
abstain from eating; "Before the medical exam, you must fast"
abstain from certain foods, as for religious or medical reasons; "Catholics sometimes fast during Lent"