What does scrimping mean?
Scrimping means using sparingly, spending carefully, or managing with limited resources. In everyday use, it often describes reducing consumption of something nonessential: a household may scrimp on food, travel, or entertainment while preserving money for an important expense. In a more general sense, scrimping means making do with what is available rather than obtaining additional help, time, or equipment. The word can be approving when it suggests prudent planning, especially in phrases such as saving for a future purpose. It can also become disparaging when it implies excessive frugality or reluctance to spend. Scrimping is useful because it captures a distinction between deliberate economy and ordinary thrift: the word often suggests deliberate restraint in order to achieve something else. Although generally neutral in tone, its application to people may imply that their economy is unusually severe or stingy.
To use or spend sparingly, especially in order to save money or conserve limited resources.
"They scrimped on decorations but spent what they had saved on the meal."
This is the principal modern sense. It can describe prudent economy as well as excessive stinginess.
The practice of economizing or making do with limited resources.
"After years of scrimping, they could finally afford a modest home."
The noun is generally uncountable and is most natural when referring to a prolonged habit or policy of thrift.
Rare; the usual noun usage is uncountable.
"The early scrimpings of expenses gave way to a more relaxed household budget."
Scrimping turns thrift into a skill: getting what you need by using less rather than wishing for more.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scrimping come from?
Scrimping developed from the older verb scrimp, meaning to economize or make do sparingly. The related adjective scrimpy, now uncommon, also expressed the idea of stinginess or meagreness. The ultimate origin of the word is uncertain, so assigning it to a particular language would be speculative.
How scrimping is actually used
The word is neutral or approving when it describes sensible economy, but it can sound mildly critical when used to characterize a person as excessively stingy. It is familiar rather than formal in everyday English.