scrimp

[ skrimp ]

verb (used without object)

1. to be sparing or frugal; economize (often followed by on ):

   They scrimped and saved for everything they have. He spends most of his money on clothes, and scrimps on food.

   Synonyms: scrape, save, stint, skimp

verb (used with object)

1. to be sparing or restrictive of or in; limit severely:

   to scrimp food.

2. to keep on short allowance; provide sparingly for:

   to scrimp their elderly parents.

scrimp

/ skrɪmp /

verb

1. whenintr, sometimes foll by on to be very economical or sparing in the use (of) (esp in the phrase scrimp and save )
2. tr to treat meanly

   he is scrimping his children

3. tr to cut too small

adjective

1. a less common word for scant

Derived Forms

• ˈscrimpily, adverb
• ˈscrimpiness, noun
• ˈscrimpy, adjective

Other Words From

• un·scrimped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrimp¹

First recorded in 1710–20; from Scandinavian; compare Swedish skrympa, Norwegian, Danish skrumpe (originally from an unattested skrimpa, ) “to shrivel,” cognate with Middle High German schrimpfen “to contract”; shrimp

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrimp¹

C18: Scottish, origin unknown

Example Sentences

But experts say that’s bad news for the economy, because widespread scrimping is contributing to a dramatic slowdown in growth this year.

From Los Angeles Times

I was destined to scrimp and save and worry about money for the rest of my life.

From Salon

"We scrimped and saved. My wife had to go out and find a part time job. I had a young baby and daughter and milk tokens was the only thing I was entitled to."

From BBC

"It's very sad when you get to this sort of age, when you've paid tax and National Insurance for 50 years, and you still have to scrimp and save - it doesn't seem right," he says.

From BBC

He grew up in rural Catalonia, where as a child his parents had to scrimp and save to buy the four-volume set of anatomy textbooks he now keeps on a shelf in his office.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• cut back
• skimp