skimp

1 of 2

adjective

ˈskimp 

: skimpy

skimp

2 of 2

verb

skimped; skimping; skimps

transitive verb

: to give insufficient or barely sufficient attention or effort to or funds for

intransitive verb

: to save by or as if by skimping

Synonyms of skimp

Adjective

• scarce
• sparse

Verb

• save
• spare
• conserve
• economize
• scrimp

Examples of skimp in a Sentence

Adjective

money would be skimp until she got her first paycheck from her new job

Verb

Parents shouldn't skimp when it comes to their child's safety.

we must skimp and save if we are going to afford a vacation this summer

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Elon Musk’s product reveals rarely, if ever, skimp on style. —Ryan Hogg, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2024

The caviar is often canned or frozen during the summer and fall to enjoy during the long winters—a taste of sunshine when our daylight hours are shortened to a skimp five. —Irina Groushevaia, Bon Appétit, 15 July 2021

Verb

Your sleeping bag isn’t something to skimp on, and neither are your pads—without sufficiently insulating ones, your pricey down bag won’t be as effective at retaining heat. —Outside, 23 Jan. 2026

The renovation and expansion of County Limerick's most famous hotel, the most expensive in the country's history, didn't skimp on a thing. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

perhaps alteration of scrimp

First Known Use

Adjective

1775, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1879, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for skimp

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

Kids Definition

skimp

verb

ˈskimp

1

: to give not enough or barely enough attention or effort to or funds for

2

: to save by or as if by skimping : scrimp