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scrimp
[ skrimp ]
/ skrɪmp /
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Definition of scrimp
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.
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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”; see origin at shrimp
OTHER WORDS FROM scrimp
un·scrimped, adjectiveWords nearby scrimp
scribe, scriber, scrim, scrimmage, scrimmage line, scrimp, scrimp and save, scrimpy, scrimshander, scrimshank, scrimshaw
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use scrimp in a sentence
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 of scrimp
scrimpy, adjectivescrimpily, adverbscrimpiness, nounWord Origin for scrimp
C18: Scottish, origin unknown
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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