adj
thrifty
THRIHF-tee
Thrifty (adj) means Careful with money; avoiding unnecessary spending or waste. Example: “Being thrifty, she always compared prices before buying groceries.”
adj
1
Careful with money; avoiding unnecessary spending or waste.
"Being thrifty, she always compared prices before buying groceries."
"A thrifty cook can make a good meal from leftovers."
How to use thrifty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCareful and sensible about spending money, in a positive sense.
Common mistake
Thrifty is a compliment, unlike "stingy" or "cheap," which suggest someone is unwilling to spend even when they should.
Common pairings
thrifty shopper
thrifty habits
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Word forms
- Comparative
- thriftier
- Superlative
- thriftiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Being _____, she always compared prices before buying groceries.
Etymology
Formed from thrift plus the adjective ending -y, dating back to Middle English.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for thrifty
See all rhymes for thrifty →Frequently asked questions
What does “thrifty” mean?
The word “thrifty” means careful with money; avoiding unnecessary spending or waste. In plain terms, careful and sensible about spending money, in a positive sense.
How do you pronounce “thrifty”?
“Thrifty” is pronounced THRIHF-tee (/ˈθɹɪfti/ in IPA).
How do you use “thrifty” in a sentence?
Here is “thrifty” used in a sentence: “Being thrifty, she always compared prices before buying groceries.”
What is the opposite of “thrifty”?
The opposite of “thrifty” — its antonyms — are spendthrift and thriftless.
What part of speech is “thrifty”?
“Thrifty” is an adjective.
Where does the word “thrifty” come from?
The word “thrifty” comes from Middle English. Formed from thrift plus the adjective ending -y, dating back to Middle English.
