scrimp
[skrimp]
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.
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
Synonyms for scrimp
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for scrimp
Contemporary Examples of scrimp
He decides instead to “scrimp and save”—and to collect aluminum cans on Capitol Hill to make up the difference.
Speed Read: 11 Best Bits from Joe Biden Satire ‘The President of Vice’Caroline Linton
January 19, 2013
Historical Examples of scrimp
He felt that he had earned a good one, and did not intend to scrimp himself.
FlintMaud Wilder Goodwin
The manager has a fixed salary, so that there is no temptation to scrimp the buyers.
Lives of Poor Boys Who Became FamousSarah K. Bolton
The news was entirely unexpected and very unwelcome to Mrs. Scrimp.
Grandmother ElsieMartha Finley
"I've always had medical advice for her when it was needed," snapped Mrs. Scrimp.
Grandmother ElsieMartha Finley
Mrs. Scrimp and Gracie were already seated at the table and had began their meal.
Grandmother ElsieMartha Finley
scrimp
verb
adjective
Word Origin for scrimp
C18: Scottish, origin unknown
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper