scrimp
[ skrimp ]
/ skrɪmp /
verb (used without object)
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.
verb (used with object)
to be sparing or restrictive of or in; limit severely: to scrimp food.
to keep on short allowance; provide sparingly for: to scrimp their elderly parents.
Nearby words
scribe, scriber, scrim, scrimmage, scrimmage line, scrimp, scrimp and save, scrimpy, scrimshander, scrimshank, scrimshaw
Origin of scrimp
1710–20; < Scandinavian; compare Swedish skrympa, Norwegian, Danish skrumpe (orig. *skrimpa, strong v.) to shrivel, cognate with Middle High German schrimpfen to contract; see shrimp
Related forms
un·scrimped, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for scrimp
British Dictionary definitions for scrimp
scrimp
/ (skrɪmp) /
verb
(when intr, sometimes foll by on) to be very economical or sparing in the use (of) (esp in the phrase scrimp and save)
(tr) to treat meanlyhe is scrimping his children
(tr) to cut too small
adjective
a less common word for scant
Derived Forms
scrimpy, adjectivescrimpily, adverbscrimpiness, nounWord Origin for scrimp
C18: Scottish, origin unknown
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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