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thrifty

[thrif-tee]
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adjective, thrift·i·er, thrift·i·est.
  1. practicing thrift or economical management; frugal: a thrifty shopper.
  2. thriving, prosperous, or successful.
  3. thriving physically; growing vigorously.
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Origin of thrifty

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at thrift, -y1
Related formsthrift·i·ly, adverbthrift·i·ness, nouno·ver·thrift·i·ly, adverbo·ver·thrift·i·ness, nouno·ver·thrift·y, adjectiveun·thrift·i·ly, adverbun·thrift·i·ness, nounun·thrift·y, adjective

Synonyms

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1. sparing, saving. See economical.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for thriftiness

Historical Examples

  • And who could deny, knowing the thriftiness of the Italian race, that it is economical?

    The Italian Cook Book

    Maria Gentile

  • But they took from it all they could in thriftiness and saving.

  • It must be admitted that simplicity is not meanness, nor thriftiness a fault.

    The Hindoos as they Are

    Shib Chunder Bose

  • And my thriftiness denied my tears the soiling of the blouse.

  • The extravagance of the United States is often contrasted unfavorably with the thriftiness of Europe.

British Dictionary definitions for thriftiness

thrifty

adjective thriftier or thriftiest
  1. showing thrift; economical or frugal
  2. rare thriving or prospering
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Derived Formsthriftily, adverbthriftiness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for thriftiness

thrifty

adj.

late 14c., from thrift + -y (2). Related: Thriftily; thriftiness.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper