What does skimpier mean?
Skimpier means smaller, thinner, or less generous than something else. It is the comparative form of skimpy and is commonly used when discussing inadequate portions, reduced services, or increasingly frugal spending: “The restaurant’s menus became skimpier,” for example, suggests that less was being offered for the money. The word often carries a mildly critical or disapproving tone, particularly when it describes food, pay, staffing, or other provisions perceived as inadequate, although it can also neutrally describe deliberate economy. It can additionally function as a verb form: in a sentence such as “the company skimpiers on maintenance,” the subject is doing the third-person singular action of skimp, meaning to use or provide too little. Outside that grammatical use, skimpier is chiefly the comparative adjective, expressing that the quantity, quality, or generosity of something has fallen short.
Comparative of skimpy; less than adequate in amount, quality, or generosity, or more restrained in spending.
"The hotel provided skimpier breakfasts than its website had advertised."
This is the comparative form of skimpy.
Third-person singular simple present of skimp: to use or provide too little of something.
"The caterer skimpiers on ingredients whenever costs rise."
This inflected verb form takes a third-person singular subject.
When budgets shrink, the portions become skimpier—and the spelling gets even tighter.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does skimpier come from?
Skimpier derives from skimpy, which in turn comes from the verb skimp, meaning to use or provide sparingly. The base verb is an English word of uncertain ultimate origin, and no confident language of origin can be assigned to it. The adjective skimpy developed in English from that older verb, with its comparative form used when comparing degrees of insufficiency or economy.
Related word forms
How skimpier is actually used
As an adjective, skimpier is the comparative of skimpy and normally appears with another item being compared. It can have a critical tone, suggesting inadequate provision or excessive economy. It is also the third-person singular present form of the verb skimp, as in “she skimpiers on ingredients.”
Easily confused with skimpier
Skimpier describes something insufficient or mean in amount, quality, or generosity, whereas skinny chiefly means very thin.