verb (used without object), e·con·o·mized, e·con·o·miz·ing.
- to practice economy; avoid waste or extravagance.
verb (used with object), e·con·o·mized, e·con·o·miz·ing.
- to manage economically; use sparingly or frugally.
verb
- (often foll by on) to limit or reduce (expense, waste, etc)
1640s, “to govern a household,” from economy + -ize. Meaning “to spend less” is from 1790. Related: Economized; economizing; economization; economizer.