thrift
verb
thrifted; thrifting; thrifts
: to shop for or buy used goods especially at a store that specializes in secondhand merchandise
"My theory is whether you have the money to pay full price or not, why wouldn't you want to get more bang for your fashion buck?" said Quincy Colman, 41, an habitué of Goodwill, who started thrifting when she was a teenager.—
Patrice J. Williams
Patrice J. Williams"Gen-Z is also very much interested in secondhand shopping. It is intentional and cool to thrift now, whereas in the 1960s and 1970s it was considered counterculture."—Allison Pfingst
Allison Pfingst"But I didn't end up buying the hot $200 dress. … Instead, I thrifted a jumpsuit."—Laura McMullen
Laura McMullenExamples of thrift in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ahead, an InStyle writer asked a group of It girls the best brands to thrift for online.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 13 Apr. 2026
Instead of donating the items to thrift stores, consider contacting local parenting groups or shelters to find a family willing to accept newer models that haven’t been recalled.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
Cleaning Caddies As long as it isn’t broken or cracked, cleaning caddies are perfect to thrift at a fraction of the price of a new one.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026
Dirty Clothing and Bedding Clothing and bedding items can be a valuable thing to donate to thrift stores, but only if they are washed properly before donating.
—Kate McKenna, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thrift
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Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 13 Apr. 2026
Instead of donating the items to thrift stores, consider contacting local parenting groups or shelters to find a family willing to accept newer models that haven’t been recalled.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
Cleaning Caddies As long as it isn’t broken or cracked, cleaning caddies are perfect to thrift at a fraction of the price of a new one.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026
Dirty Clothing and Bedding Clothing and bedding items can be a valuable thing to donate to thrift stores, but only if they are washed properly before donating.
—Kate McKenna, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thrift
Cite this Entry
“Thrift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thrift. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
thrift
noun
: careful management especially of money
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