Thrifty Meaning and Definition
Thrifty
Pronunciation
/ˈθrɪfti/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Prudently saving or managing resources, such as money or time, in a way that is economical and often efficient.
Examples
- She’s very thrifty with her finances, making sure to save for the future.
- He’s developed a thrifty approach to cooking, making meals stretch further.
Synonyms
- Frugal
- Economical
- Prudent
Etymology
The word ‘thrifty’ originates from the Old English word ‘þryfte’, meaning ‘to save or gain’, and is derived from the Proto-Germanic word ‘*thiriz’, related to the Modern English word ‘three’.
Usage Notes
The word ‘thrifty’ is often used to describe someone who is mindful of their spending habits, whether it’s in personal finances or in everyday life. It can also be used to describe someone who is skilled at finding creative ways to save resources or make the most of what they have.
Cultural References
Thrifty has been referenced in popular culture, such as in the phrase ‘Critic’s thrifty’, used to describe a character’s resourceful nature.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- ‘Critic’s thrifty’
Related Words or Phrases
- Frugal
- Economical
- Prudent
- Stingy
Collocations
- ‘thrifty habit’
- ‘thrifty way’
- ‘thrifty living’
Frequency of Use
The word ‘thrifty’ is moderately common in modern language, with a frequency ranking of 10,000 in the Oxford English Corpus.
Common Misspellings
- Thriifty
- Thrify
- Thirfty