thrift

American  

[thrift] / θrɪft /

noun

1. economical management; economy; frugality.

   My father valued thrift, hard work, and self-sufficiency.

   Memories of her thrift and capability inspire me.

2. Also called thrift institution.  Banking. a savings and loan association, savings bank, or credit union.

   To help the thrifts survive, Congress deregulated the industry, lifting restrictions on the kinds of loans they could make.

3. 1. Also called sea pink.  any alpine and maritime plant belonging to the genus Armeria, of the leadwort family, having pink or white flowers, especially A. maritima, noted for its vigorous growth.

   2. any of various similar or related plants.

4. vigorous growth, as of a plant.

5. Obsolete. prosperity.

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verb (used with object)

1. to buy secondhand, as at a thrift store.

   I thrifted these purple suede pumps for ten bucks.

thrift British  

/ θrɪft /

noun

1. wisdom and caution in the management of money

2. Also called: sea pink.  any of numerous perennial plumbaginaceous low-growing plants of the genus Armeria, esp A. maritima, of Europe, W Asia, and North America, having narrow leaves and round heads of pink or white flowers

3. rare vigorous thriving or growth, as of a plant

4. a building society, savings bank, or credit union

5. an obsolete word for prosperity

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Other Word Forms

• nonthrift adjective
• thriftless adjective
• thriftlessly adverb
• thriftlessness noun

Etymology

Origin of thrift

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English, from Old Norse: “well-being, prosperity”; thrive

Example Sentences

But with the help of Aunt Melissa’s closet and a tiny thrift store in Somewhere, she makes it work.

From Literature

He started biking around his neighborhood, visiting garage sales and thrift stores, buying whatever he could carry to sell online.

From Los Angeles Times

Regulators lacked the resources in their insurance fund to close bankrupt S&Ls, forcing an era of “forbearance” when thrifts stayed open despite insolvency.

From The Wall Street Journal

Discount and dollar stores, wholesale clubs, off-price retailers, and thrift stores were some of the most visited stores on Super Saturday, Placer.ai found.

From Barron's

Evolution has similarly purloined existing features and modified them, using great thrift, for example, to transmogrify a piece of jaw into an ear or to transform a leg into a wing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• austerity
• frugality
• prudence