noun
Uncommon
thrift
THRIHFT
Thrift (noun) means Careful, economical use of money; avoiding waste. Example: “Years of thrift meant they could pay off the mortgage early.”
noun
1
Careful, economical use of money; avoiding waste.
"Years of thrift meant they could pay off the mortgage early."
"Thrift was drilled into her by parents who lived through hard times."
2
A store that sells secondhand goods donated by the public, often to raise money for charity.
"He found a leather jacket at the thrift for five dollars."
3
A low, cushion-forming coastal plant with pink flowers, also called sea pink.
"Thrift grows in tufts along the cliff edge."
How to use thrift
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing careful and sensible with money rather than wasteful.
UK vs US
In the US, "thrift" or "thrift shop" is the everyday term; in the UK, people more often say "charity shop."
Common pairings
thrift store
a life of thrift
thrift and frugality
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Word forms
- Plural
- thrifts
- Third person singular
- thrifts
- Past tense
- thrifted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Years of _____ meant they could pay off the mortgage early.
Etymology
From Old Norse þrift, "thriving condition" — thrift originally meant prosperity itself, before it narrowed to mean the careful habits that lead to it.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for thrift
See all rhymes for thrift →Frequently asked questions
What does “thrift” mean?
The word “thrift” means careful, economical use of money; avoiding waste. In plain terms, being careful and sensible with money rather than wasteful.
How do you pronounce “thrift”?
“Thrift” is pronounced THRIHFT (/ˈθɹɪft/ in IPA).
How do you use “thrift” in a sentence?
Here is “thrift” used in a sentence: “Years of thrift meant they could pay off the mortgage early.”
What is the opposite of “thrift”?
The opposite of “thrift” — its antonyms — is spendthrift.
What part of speech is “thrift”?
“Thrift” is a noun.
Where does the word “thrift” come from?
The word “thrift” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse þrift, "thriving condition" — thrift originally meant prosperity itself, before it narrowed to mean the careful habits that lead to it.
Is “thrift” a common word?
“Thrift” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “thrift” have?
“Thrift” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: careful, economical use of money; avoiding waste.
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