scrimp

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

Synonyms of scrimp

• save
• economize
• conserve
• spare
• skimp

Examples of scrimp in a Sentence

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

The Premier League, too, does not scrimp on its legal representation. —Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025

The power went out intermittently, and families scrimped to get enough food. —Maggie Doherty, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025

Far from the envy of the world, Britain has been scrimping by spending 37 billion pounds ($53 billion) on the health services each year, well below Germany, France and Australia, a landmark review found last year. —Alexander Smith, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2025

Kang Ha-neul plays a young man who has been scrimping and saving his whole life to buy his own apartment, only to discover that living so close to strangers brings its own problems. —PC Magazine, 18 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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