thrift

[ thrift ]

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 in·sti·tu·tion [thrift, in-sti-too-sh, uh, n, -tyoo-]. 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 [see, pingk]. 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.

verb (used with object)

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

   I thrifted these purple suede pumps for ten bucks.

thrift

/ θrɪft /

noun

1. wisdom and caution in the management of money
2. Also calledsea 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. See prosperity
   an obsolete word for prosperity

Derived Forms

• ˈthriftlessly, adverb
• ˈthriftless, adjective
• ˈthriftlessness, noun

Other Words From

• non·thrift adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thrift¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of thrift¹

C13: from Old Norse: success; see thrive

Example Sentences

The secondhand clothing market is composed of two major categories, thrift stores and resale platforms.

From No Straight News

Once I knew we were going to open Gado Gado, I could finally get all this thrift store stuff that I’ve wanted to buy for forever.

From Eater

Community cookbooks are not particularly difficult to find, especially on auction sites like eBay and the shelves of thrift stores.

From Eater

When shoppers think of secondhand stores, they might think of consignment stores, and they might think of thrift shops.

From Fortune

While some items will get a second life by way of a thrift store, it all eventually makes its way to a landfill, where the synthetic materials in many clothes can take centuries to break down.

From Singularity Hub 

But collective bargaining has always been a harder sell than a solo thrift-store-to-YSL story.

From The Daily Beast

The random goods at this warzone thrift store are constantly changing… primarily office and cleaning supplies.

From The Daily Beast

Would you know the rapper Macklemore's other half if he showed up at your thrift shop?

From The Daily Beast

But the “Thrift Shop” rapper initially seemed shocked that people could somehow interpret his get-up as offensive.

From The Daily Beast

It's mostly a mix of vintage, thrift, and very accessible retail.

From The Daily Beast

I fear she was often shocked at our easy Saxon ways, though Tom and I thought ourselves models of thrift.

From Project Gutenberg

The starting wage for adolescents is often somewhat high, and thrift is not practised by them.

From Project Gutenberg

There is not much luxury and there is a fair amount of thrift, while frugality of living is common, especially among the populace.

From Project Gutenberg

By individual thrift Society accumulates, and it is wise to encourage thrift.

From Project Gutenberg

They did not belong to the race which too frequently make thrift a vice, but were descendants of one the world counts thriftless.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• austerity
• frugality
• prudence