economise
gb/ɪkənəmɪs/ us/ɪkənəmɪs/
B2
English
spórol, takarékoskodik, ésszerűsít, racionalizál, tömören fogalmaz, tömörít
VERB
B2
1
spórol
A2
Usage pattern:
economise (on) [something]
We’re trying to economise this month after the car repairs.
Az autójavítás után ebben a hónapban próbálunk spórolni.
If you economise on takeaways, you’ll save a surprising amount.
Ha kevesebbet költesz elviteles ételekre, meglepően sok pénzt megspórolhatsz.
Families were forced to economise when prices rose.
Learner examples
I need to economise this week.
Ezen a héten spórolnom kell.
We are economising on shopping.
Spórolunk a bevásárláson.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse BrE economise with AmE economize; both are correct, but spelling depends on variety.
Meaning
spend less and save money
Collocations
economise on food
|economise on heating
|economise on travel
|economise on household expenses
|economise during tough times
|economise to pay off debts
|economise wherever possible
|economise in daily spending
Synonyms
save (More general; can mean keep money for later without focusing on spending less.)
|
cut back (Emphasises reducing the amount you spend or use.)
|
tighten your belt (Informal idiom meaning live more cheaply.)
Antonyms
splurge (Spend a lot of money on something enjoyable.)
|
overspend (Spend more than you can afford.)
Themes
money
|daily_life
|budgeting
Definition
To spend less money so you can save.
To reduce spending in order to save money, especially by being careful about what you buy or use.
VERB
B2
2
spórol
A2
Usage pattern:
economise on [water/energy/time/space/materials]
During the drought, everyone had to economise on water.
Az aszály idején mindenkinek takarékoskodnia kellett a vízzel.
The new engine is designed to economise on fuel.
Az új motort úgy tervezték, hogy kevesebb üzemanyagot használjon.
We economised on packaging by switching to smaller boxes.
Learner examples
Please economise on electricity.
Kérlek, takarékoskodj az árammal.
We economise on water in summer.
Nyáron takarékoskodunk a vízzel.
Common mistake:
Economise does not mean 'make an economic decision'; it means 'use less' or 'spend less'.
Meaning
use less to avoid waste
Collocations
economise on water
|economise on electricity
|economise on fuel
|economise on resources
|economise on time
|economise on space
|economise on materials
|economise by reusing items
Synonyms
conserve (Often used for energy, water, or nature; can sound more environmental.)
|
ration (Suggests strict control and limited amounts, often because of shortage.)
|
use sparingly (A clear phrase meaning use only a small amount.)
Antonyms
waste (Use carelessly or unnecessarily.)
|
squander (Waste something valuable in a reckless way.)
Themes
environment
|daily_life
|resources
Definition
To use less of something and not waste it.
To use something carefully and efficiently so that none is wasted and less is needed.
VERB
C1
BUSINESS
3
ésszerűsít
B2
racionalizál
C1
Usage pattern:
economise [an organisation/system/process]
The department was asked to economise without reducing service quality.
A részleget arra kérték, hogy ésszerűsítse a működését anélkül, hogy rontaná a szolgáltatás minőségét.
They economised the supply chain by centralising deliveries.
A szállítások központosításával ésszerűsítették az ellátási láncot.
Local councils are trying to economise in response to budget cuts.
Learner examples
The company wants to economise its costs.
A vállalat csökkenteni akarja a költségeit.
Meaning
make an organisation cheaper to run
Collocations
economise operations
|economise production
|economise public services
|economise the system
|economise administration
|economise costs
|economise expenditure
|economise the budget
Synonyms
streamline (Focuses on simplifying processes to make them faster and more efficient.)
|
cut costs (Directly emphasises reducing spending, not necessarily improving efficiency.)
|
rationalise (Often means reorganise to improve efficiency, sometimes by reducing staff or services.)
Antonyms
expand (Increase the size or scope, usually increasing costs.)
|
increase spending (Move in the opposite direction financially.)
Themes
business
|work
|government
Definition
To make something run more cheaply and efficiently.
To reduce costs or waste in an organisation or system by making it more efficient.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
4
tömörít
B2
Usage pattern:
economise (on) [words/phrases]
Try to economise on words in the introduction.
Próbálj tömörebben fogalmazni a bevezetésben.
The editor asked her to economise and cut two paragraphs.
A szerkesztő arra kérte, hogy fogalmazzon tömörebben, és húzzon ki két bekezdést.
You can economise by removing repetition.
Learner examples
Please economise on words.
Kérlek, fogalmazz tömörebben.
I will economise my email.
Tömöríteni fogom az e-mailemet.
Meaning
express something using fewer words
Collocations
economise on words
|economise on detail
|economise on explanation
|economise the description
|economise the wording
|economise in your writing
Synonyms
be concise (Directly means using few words in a clear way.)
|
condense (Suggests shortening by removing extra parts.)
|
abridge (Often refers to shortening a text, sometimes a book or article.)
Antonyms
ramble (Talk or write at length in a confused or unnecessary way.)
|
elaborate (Add more detail or explanation.)
Themes
language
|writing
|education
Definition
To say or write something in fewer words.
To make speech or writing shorter by using fewer words while keeping the meaning clear.
Grammar
Dictionary form
economise
IPA
GB/ɪkənəmɪs/
US/ɪkənəmɪs/
Syllables & stress
eco - nom - ise (3 syllables)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: economise
- 3rd Person Singular: economises
- Present Participle: economising
- Past: economised
Word family
Forms
economises
verb
economising
verb
economised
verb
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
uneconomical
adjective
uneconomic
adjective
Advanced or less common
Expressions
economise by doing [something]
1/ɪkənəmɪs bˈaɪ dˈuɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
save money by a method
To save money by doing something different.
Examples
- We economised by cooking at home instead of eating out.
- The team economised by sharing equipment.
- You can economise by booking tickets in advance.
Learner examples
- I economise by walking to work.
economise on [something]
1/ɪkənəmɪs ˈɔn sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
use or spend less of something
To use less of something.
Examples
- We’re economising on heating by wearing extra layers indoors.
- The hotel asks guests to economise on water during dry periods.
- He economised on travel by taking the train instead of flying.
Learner examples
- We economise on water.
- I economise on food this month.
economise with [something]
1/ɪkənəmɪs wˈɪθ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
use something sparingly
To use something carefully so it lasts.
Examples
- We had to economise with our supplies until the next delivery arrived.
- The builder economised with materials to keep the project on budget.
economise with the truth
1/ɪkənəmɪs wˈɪθ ðə tɹˈuθ/
fixed phrase
formal
avoid full truth; be misleading
To not tell the complete truth.
Examples
- The report economised with the truth about the project’s delays.
- Politicians sometimes economise with the truth in interviews.
- He was accused of economising with the truth about his qualifications.