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Glite Dictionary
to save energy

to save energy

9 2.5
Use less energy, for example by turning off lights when you leave
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : ahorrar energía
  • To reduce your electricity bill, it is important to save energy by turning off unused lights.
  • ways to save energy
  • save energy and reduce

So information and advice, an example of that would be advice that some of you might have seen about how to save energy in the home.

Examples

  • Tip! Buy products that save energy so that your home is more energy efficient.

    Blog text (6)

  • Inefficient, glare-producing fixtures can be replaced, saving energy while simultaneously reducing light scattered to the sky.

    Academic text (2003)

  • There is a lot you can do if you want to save energy.

    Blog text (30)

  • We have to start saving energy right now.

    Stranded (2001)

  • "And by not sending light up," he adds, "you save energy and money in the long run."

    Academic text (2006)

  • There are plenty of ways to save energy without impinging on my health.

    Blog text (13)

  • Because LED streetlights save energy, they are more widely being used.

  • In keeping with the national effort to save energy, the heating and outdoor lighting at night are minimal, even in subfreezing temperatures.

    Academic text (2005)

  • ... as the power shortage reaches critical levels, residents are asked to save energy and turn off the lights in an effort to avoid more rolling blackouts this weekend.

    They (2002)

  • Twenty-three firms making substantial efforts to save energy or reduce carbon dioxide emissions could be fully exempted.

    Academic text (1997)

Synonyms

to economize
vsto save energy
  • US
7 5.0

Use money or resources carefully to avoid waste

reduces use of power by being more efficient or conserving effort

Antonyms

to waste energy
2 3.5

Use time or effort in a way that achieves little

How Efficient

energy efficiency
  • Specialized
23 3.4
to save energy
9 2.5
inefficient
58 3.5

Surface Forms

save energy infinitive
saved energy past
saved energy past participle
saving energy present participle
saves energy third person singular

Morphology

save + energy

The meaning 'to use less energy / conserve power' is directly and predictably composed from 'save' (to conserve or cut back) + 'energy' (usable power). This construction follows a common verb + noun composition found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Save energy comes from the simple image of save like putting coins in a jar and energy as the power you use. So, save energy means 'to use less energy' by not wasting power.