First Known Use: circa 1774
Dictionary
scrimp
verb \ˈskrimp\
: to spend as little money as you can : to be careful about spending money
Full Definition of SCRIMP
transitive verb
1
: to be stingy in providing for
2
: to make too small, short, or scanty
intransitive verb
: to be frugal or stingy
— scrimpy \ˈskrim-pē\ adjective
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Origin of SCRIMP
perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish skrympa to shrink, Middle Low German schrempen to contract — more at shrimp
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