What does thriftiest mean?
“Thriftiest” is the superlative form of the adjective “thrifty,” meaning the most careful or economical in the way money, supplies, or other resources are used. It often carries a mildly approving connotation: describing someone as the thriftiest member of a group suggests that they know how to avoid waste, though the comparison can sometimes sound disapproving when spending is understood as generous rather than careless. “Thriftiest” is most natural when a comparison is being made, as in “She was the thriftiest shopper in the family,” but it can also identify the least costly option: “The thriftiest way to repair the fence is to replace only the damaged post.” The word belongs to everyday English in both British and American usage and is more emphatic than simply “thrifty.” Its history adds an interesting contrast. “Thrift” originally referred to prosperity or well-being, only later acquiring the modern sense of economical use. Thus “thriftiest” ultimately combines an old idea of flourishing with a modern emphasis on avoiding unnecessary expenditure.
adjectiveThe superlative of thrifty: using money, supplies, or other resources carefully and economically, with a minimum of waste.
- Using money or resources in the most careful and economical way, with little or no waste.
"Marta was the thriftiest with the office supplies, using every sheet of paper before replacing it."
"Among our volunteers, Marta was the thriftiest, carefully tracking every donation and expense."
"The thriftiest way to repair the fence is usually to replace only the damaged post."
Thrift’s past is almost its opposite: it once meant prosperity or well-being before shifting toward careful economy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of thriftiest
“Thriftiest” is the superlative of “thrifty,” formed with the suffix “-est.” “Thrifty” derives from “thrift,” which comes from Old English þrift, meaning “prosperity, gain, or wealth,” and is related to “thrive.” Over time, “thrift” came to mean careful and economical use of resources, producing the familiar modern senses of “thrifty” and “thriftiest.”
Related word forms
How thriftiest is actually used
An inflected superlative adjective; “most thrifty” can be used as a less compact alternative.