What does thriftless mean?
Thriftless is an adjective meaning wasteful, extravagant, or prodigal, especially in the way money or resources are used. It describes conduct or an approach that shows little concern for saving money, careful planning, or financial restraint. The word often carries a moral judgment: a thriftless person or policy is not merely unsuccessful but viewed as irresponsible or excessively generous. It appears especially in literary, historical, and formal prose, although its meaning is straightforward in modern English as well. A typical use describes an institution whose expansion has been so costly that it has left the organization in debt, or an individual's habits as wasteful of an inheritance. The term is the opposite of thrifty, frugal, and economical. Although now relatively uncommon, thriftless remains useful when the focus is not merely on overspending but on a conspicuous disregard for prudence and preservation of resources.
adjectiveNot thriftless; given to wasteful or prodigal spending and lacking frugality.
- Given to wasteful or prodigal spending; lacking frugality.
"The organization's thriftless expansion left it burdened by debt."
"His thriftless habits soon exhausted the inheritance he had received."
"The report criticized the committee's thriftless approach to public spending."
Add “-less” to thrift and the result is a compact moral label for spending without restraint.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
How thriftless is actually used
Formal and relatively uncommon; it commonly conveys moral disapproval of extravagance or careless expenditure.
Easily confused with thriftless
Thriftless describes wasteful spending, whereas shiftless describes laziness or a lack of initiative.