scrimp

1 of 2

verb

ˈskrimp 

scrimped; scrimping; scrimps

transitive verb

1

: to be stingy in providing for

2

: to make too small, short, or scanty

intransitive verb

: to be frugal or stingy

scrimpy

ˈskrim-pē 

adjective

scrimpy

2 of 2

adjective

-mpē 

-mpi

-er/-est

1

: small or barely sufficient in size or quantity : meager, scanty

her scrimpy and short white petticoat

—Elizabeth C. Gaskell

2

: given to scrimping : parsimonious

Synonyms of scrimp

Verb

• save
• economize
• conserve
• spare
• skimp

Examples of scrimp in a Sentence

Verb

They scrimped and saved for their big vacation.

had to scrimp and save for years in order to be able to afford a house

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Embracing a back-to-safari-basics approach, Enduata aims to focus on what’s important without scrimping on comfort. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026

The world-class training facility owes its existence to the dedication of a group of volunteers, who scrimped and saved for well over a decade to get their own curling space. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026

Absent better reverse mortgage options, this keeps retirees from spending a large share of their wealth, and means some are scrimping on their non-housing expenses. —Allison Schrager, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026

While administrations scrimped, the fleet aged. —Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish skrympa to shrink, Middle Low German schrempen to contract — more at shrimp

Adjective

scrimp + -y

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1691, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for scrimp

• blimp
• chimp
• crimp
• imp
• limp
• pimp
• shrimp
• skimp
• wimp

Kids Definition

scrimp

verb

ˈskrimp 

1

: to make too small or short : skimp

2

: economize sense 1