scrimp
Use Scrimp in a sentence
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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.
verb (used with object)
2.
to be sparing or restrictive of or in; limit severely: to scrimp food.
3.
to keep on short allowance; provide sparingly for: to scrimp their elderly parents.
Origin:
1710–20; < Scandinavian; compare Swedish skrympa, Norwegian, Danish skrumpe (orig. *skrimpa, strong v.) to shrivel, cognate with Middle High German schrimpfen to contract; see shrimp
1710–20; < Scandinavian; compare Swedish skrympa, Norwegian, Danish skrumpe (orig. *skrimpa, strong v.) to shrivel, cognate with Middle High German schrimpfen to contract; see shrimp
Related forms
un·scrimped, adjective
Synonyms
1. skimp, stint, save, scrape.
1. skimp, stint, save, scrape.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To scrimp
00:10
Scrimp
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is fletcherise. Does it mean:
| to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle. |
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
scrimp (skrɪmp) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb (when intr, | |
| 1. | 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 |
| —adj | |
| 4. | a less common word for scant |
| [C18: Scottish, origin unknown] | |
| 'scrimpy | |
| —adj | |
| 'scrimpily | |
| —adv | |
| 'scrimpiness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
scrimp
"to make too small," 1774, originally an adj., "scant, meager" (1718), possibly from a Scand. source (cf. Swed. skrumpna "to shrink, shrivel up"), or from a continental Gmc. source akin to M.H.G. schrimpfen, Ger. schrumpfen "to shrivel" (cf. shrimp).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
As some chefs scrimp on ingredients, cheaper cuts of meat are making their debuts on the menu.
Failure to deliver it would look unseemly at a time when politicians are asking voters to scrimp.
They are economizing but not scrimp ing, acting cautiously but not miserly.
He also found it is best not to scrimp on the radiator.
Nearby Words
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