scrimp

American  

[skrimp] / skrɪmp /

verb (used without object)

1. to be sparing or frugal; economize (often followed byon ).

   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

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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 British  

/ skrɪmp /

verb

1. 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

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adjective

1. a less common word for scant

Other Word Forms

• scrimpily adverb
• scrimpiness noun
• scrimpy adjective
• unscrimped adjective

Etymology

Origin of scrimp

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

Related Words

• cut back
• skimp