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skimp
/ skɪmp /
verb
- to be extremely sparing or supply (someone) sparingly; stint
- to perform (work, etc) carelessly, hastily, or with inadequate materials
Other Words From
- skimping·ly adverb
Word History and Origins
Origin of skimp1
Word History and Origins
Origin of skimp1
Example Sentences
Moreover, the menu prices were quite affordable, without skimping on meal choices.
Many influencers, athletes, and regular folks swear by ketogenic diets—skimping on carbs and feasting on fats to quickly shed pounds and improve their metabolism.
Don’t skimp on the depth of your garage.
McGuffey, who heads a security consultancy, said that the cash management industry has been hurt by companies taking “severe shortcuts,” such as requiring employees to work longer hours, squeezing wages and skimping on personnel.
“What have I always told you? Never leave food on your plate. Never write someone else’s name on your body. And never skimp on assassins. Simple, really.”
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Related Words
More About Skimp
What does skimp mean?
Skimp most commonly means to provide too little or be stingy when supplying someone with something, as in This place always skimps on the salad dressing, so I usually order some extra on the side.
The word is often used in the command don’t skimp, which is a request not to provide an amount that the speaker considers inadequate, as in Hey, don’t skimp on the ice cream—I want a big scoop!
To skimp on materials when making or constructing something is to use ones that are low-quality or to use fewer than are needed to do the job properly.
Skimp is a synonym of scrimp, but scrimp most commonly means to be frugal by finding ways to avoid spending money. It’s especially used in the phrase scrimp and save, as in We had to scrimp and save just to afford this trip.
The adjective skimpy can mean stingy or lacking in some way. It’s especially used to describe an outfit that’s considered a bit revealing due to not covering as much as might be usual.
Example: Don’t skimp on the butter when you make the cookies or they’ll turn out dry and brittle.
Where does skimp come from?
The first records of the word skimp come from the 1870s. It may come from a combination of scant and scrimp, but its origin is uncertain.
Skimp is perhaps most commonly used in the context of not getting as much as we want when ordering food. You might say that a restaurant skimps on their portions, or that whoever made the food skimped on a certain ingredient, as in I know you want to make the recipe healthier, but if you skimp on the salt, it will turn out bland.
When the word is used in the context of building or making something, skimp often implies a lack of quality in the materials or that someone has cut corners.
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How is skimp used in real life?
Skimp is usually used in negative contexts, though usually ones that are not too serious. It’s often used when people complain that they haven’t been given enough of something, especially food that they’ve ordered.
Banh mi places always skimp on the pickled daikon
— Bergo (Gus Van Sant remake) 👻 (@BergoEsBueno) September 14, 2017
Yesterday, I made quiche again: gruyere cheese, crispy bacon, green onion, heavy cream, eggs, fluted homemade crust. I don't skimp on the amount of bacon used. :-)
— EdinaMN Guy (@EdinaMNguy) July 25, 2020
HOW TO BUILD A FREESTANDING DECK- don't skimp on materials for this project https://t.co/ArtegG61wI #DIY #decks pic.twitter.com/AqkmvbxTBO
— Extreme How-To (@ExtremeHow_To) August 26, 2016
Try using skimp!
True or False?
If you say that someone skimped on something, it usually means that they didn’t provide as much of it as you wanted.
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