skimp

1 of 2

adjective

ˈskimp 

: skimpy

skimp

2 of 2

verb

skimped; skimping; skimps

transitive verb

: to give insufficient or barely sufficient attention or effort to or funds for

intransitive verb

: to save by or as if by skimping

Synonyms

Adjective

• exiguous
• hand-to-mouth
• light
• meager
• meagre
• niggardly
• poor
• scant
• scanty
• scarce
• skimpy
• slender
• slim
• spare
• sparing
• sparse
• stingy

Verb

• economize
• pinch
• save
• scrimp
• spare

Examples of skimp in a Sentence

Adjective

money would be skimp until she got her first paycheck from her new job

Verb

Parents shouldn't skimp when it comes to their child's safety.

we must skimp and save if we are going to afford a vacation this summer

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Elon Musk’s product reveals rarely, if ever, skimp on style. —Ryan Hogg, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2024

The caviar is often canned or frozen during the summer and fall to enjoy during the long winters—a taste of sunshine when our daylight hours are shortened to a skimp five. —Irina Groushevaia, Bon Appétit, 15 July 2021

Verb

The Marmot Lost Coast 40-degree Sleeping Bag is an affordable unisex sleeping bag that doesn’t skimp on durability or functionality. —Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2024

Adding to the upscale feel is a clean kitchen design that uses a slide-out worktop cover over the sink for a seamless look that doesn't skimp on functional space – the worktop can be used atop the sink or when extended out. —New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

perhaps alteration of scrimp

First Known Use

Adjective

1775, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1879, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

skimp

verb

ˈskimp

1

: to give not enough or barely enough attention or effort to or funds for

2

: to save by or as if by skimping : scrimp