adjective
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showing thrift; economical or frugal
-
rare thriving or prospering
Synonym Usage
See frugal.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of thrifty
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English; see origin at thrift, -y 1
Explanation
Being thrifty means being careful of your money and how you spend it. Think twice before you spend, but if you must shop, hitting the sales and using coupons are good ways to be thrifty. Note the similarity between the adjective thrifty and the verb thrive, and you'll realize that being careful with your money might be an important survival tactic. Everyone worries about having enough — look at how thrift shops have become important sources of clothing and other goods for many people, allowing them to buy without spending a fortune. Being thrifty is a solid virtue, as suggested by the old German proverb, "Prudent men woo thrifty women."
Vocabulary lists containing thrifty
"A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "T"
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"The Necklace" and "The Fashion Show"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Just two of the 20 mistake fare deals Thrifty Traveler has flagged since 2020 were canceled, Potter said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026
The headline of the week surely goes to Metro, which dubbed the whole affair "Wagatha Thrifty".
From BBC • Oct. 12, 2024
More than half of the shuttered businesses were Bartell Drugs and Thrifty Payless pharmacies — both owned by struggling pharmacy giant Rite Aid — across King, Snohomish and Pierce counties.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 23, 2024
Kyle Potter, executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, said the record numbers for this holiday season is part of air travel’s climb back to pre-pandemic levels.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 21, 2023
But every day while I was still at the downtown special ed we kept checking in the Thrifty Nickel free newspaper and finally there was an ad for a half Chihuahua and half dachshund.
From "Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key" by Jack Gantos
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
