verb

scrimp

/skrimp/ · say it: SKRIMP

to be very economical

In Actions & Behavior

In more detail

1. (verb) to spend very little money and try to save as much as possible, often by avoiding things you need

2. (verb) to use very small amounts of something when you should use more

Examples

1. They had to scrimp and save for years to buy their first house.
2. Don't scrimp on the salt when cooking the pasta.

How to use scrimp

Scrimp suggests making sacrifices or doing without necessities in order to save money, often implying hardship. It carries a slightly negative connotation of deprivation or reluctance, unlike the more neutral economize. The second sense emphasizes using insufficient quantities of something (scrimp on the butter), which can result in poor outcomes.

Common phrases

scrimp and save
scrimp on food
scrimp on expenses
scrimp on supplies
forced to scrimp

Synonyms

economize · skimp · stint · pinch pennies · save

Opposites

splurge · lavish · squander

Word family

scrimped · scrimping · scrimpily · scrimpiness

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse scrimp with skimp; while related, scrimp emphasizes the financial sacrifice to save money, whereas skimp emphasizes using too little of something (though the two overlap significantly in meaning).

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