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View synonyms for scrimp

scrimp

[ skrimp ]

verb (used without object)

  1. 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.

    Synonyms: scrape, save, stint, skimp



verb (used with object)

  1. to be sparing or restrictive of or in; limit severely:

    to scrimp food.

  2. to keep on short allowance; provide sparingly for:

    to scrimp their elderly parents.

scrimp

/ skrɪmp /

verb

  1. whenintr, sometimes foll by on to be very economical or sparing in the use (of) (esp in the phrase scrimp and save )
  2. tr to treat meanly

    he is scrimping his children

  3. tr to cut too small


adjective

  1. a less common word for scant

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Derived Forms

  • ˈscrimpily, adverb
  • ˈscrimpiness, noun
  • ˈscrimpy, adjective

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Other Words From

  • un·scrimped adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of scrimp1

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”; shrimp

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Word History and Origins

Origin of scrimp1

C18: Scottish, origin unknown

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Example Sentences

He decides instead to “scrimp and save”—and to collect aluminum cans on Capitol Hill to make up the difference.

Also, some ominous comments on what armies spend and what Governments scrimp:—that is ammunition.

Chrissy gazed wistfully into the glass as she fastened her yellow scrimp old white frock, and sighed.

Mrs. Scrimp was a widow living in rather genteel style in a house and upon means left her by her late husband.

Mrs. Scrimp was a woman of theories also, and her pet one accorded well with the aforementioned characteristic.

She heard Mrs. Scrimp's voice in the kitchen scolding Ann for letting the bread burn in the oven.

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scrimmage linescrimp and save