thrifting
Thrifting (noun) means the activity of shopping for second-hand clothes and other goods in charity shops, thrift stores and similar places, both to save money and to find unusual items. Example: “We spent Saturday thrifting and came back with two coats and a lamp.”
How to use thrifting
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShopping for second-hand things in charity or thrift shops.
Informal and chiefly American in origin, now widely understood. British speakers more often say charity shopping, Australians say op shopping.
Thrifted is used as an adjective for the item — 'a thrifted jacket' — while thrifting names the activity.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We spent Saturday _____ and came back with two coats and a lamp.
Etymology
From thrift store, itself from thrift in the sense of careful management of money.
Synonyms
View more →Rhymes for thrifting
See all rhymes for thrifting →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between thrifting and vintage shopping?
Thrifting means buying whatever second-hand goods turn up in charity or thrift shops, at low prices and with no curation. Vintage shopping means buying older items selected for their era, condition and label, usually from a specialist dealer at much higher prices.
What is thrifting called in the UK?
Charity shopping, or simply going round the charity shops. Thrifting is understood in Britain because of American social media but thrift store is not the usual local term.
What is the meaning of thrifting?
"thrifting" (noun) means the activity of shopping for second-hand clothes and other goods in charity shops, thrift stores and similar places, both to save money and to find unusual items.
What is another word for thrifting?
Other words for "thrifting" include charity shopping, op shopping, second-hand shopping.