scrimpy

[skrim-pee]

adjective

scrimpier, scrimpiest 

1. scanty; meager; barely adequate.

2. tending to scrimp; frugal; parsimonious.

Other Word Forms

• scrimpily adverb
• scrimpiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrimpy¹

First recorded in 1850–55; scrimp + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Thou hast seen how Mary Minorie goes on about her bald, scrimpy husband; yet she burst out crying when he put the ring on her finger.

From Project Gutenberg

He was thinking how his pittance of pay would support, in a scrimpy way, his poor mother and sister, who looked unto him as their only hope and refuge.

From Project Gutenberg

From the scrimpy legs of the knickerbockers his knees shone bare and brown.

From Project Gutenberg

I know our house is awful scrimpy, but we'd have some good times, anyhow.

From Project Gutenberg

A scrimpy woollen skirt is tied around the waist with a girdle, and over the shoulders is worn a short tunic, with which, however, many dispense when at home in the barranca.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• insufficient 
• mere 
• minimum 
• miserable 
• paltry 
• puny 
• scant 
• scanty 
• skimpy 
• sparse 
• tenuous