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Skimping: meaning, definitions and examples

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skimping

 

[ skɪmpɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

spending less

To skimp means to use less than what is needed or to economize on something, often at the expense of quality. This term is often used in contexts where a person or organization is cutting corners to save money or resources. When someone is skimping, they are typically avoiding full costs or investing less than is appropriate. This can lead to subpar results or products that do not meet desired standards.

Synonyms

cut corners, economize, scrimp, stingy

Examples of usage

  • He was skimping on the ingredients for the cake.
  • The contractor was skimping on materials to save money.
  • She accused her boss of skimping on employee safety measures.

Translations

Translations of the word "skimping" in other languages:

🇵🇹 economizando

🇮🇳 कंजूसी करना

🇩🇪 sparen

🇮🇩 menghemat

🇺🇦 економія

🇵🇱 oszczędzanie

🇯🇵 ケチる

🇫🇷 économiser

🇪🇸 economizar

🇹🇷 kısma

🇰🇷 절약하다

🇸🇦 توفير

🇨🇿 šetření

🇸🇰 šetrenie

🇨🇳 节省

🇸🇮 varčevanje

🇮🇸 spara

🇰🇿 үнемдеу

🇬🇪 ზოგვა

🇦🇿 qənaət etmək

🇲🇽 ahorrar

Word origin

The term 'skimp' originates from the late 17th century as a dialect word in the English language, likely derived from the Scandinavian languages, particularly the Old Norse word 'skampta,' which means to cut or reduce. The use of 'skimp' has evolved over time and has been adopted into more common usage in various forms since the mid-19th century. Initially, it referred to a lack of ample supply or using less than required in various contexts, especially in regard to time or resources. Its application expanded to include behavior perceived as inconsiderate or inadequate, especially when it results in diminished quality or fulfillment. In contemporary usage, 'skimp' retains this notion of inadequacy or restraint but is often associated with financial prudence or dishonesty, depending on the context.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,412, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.