skimp
/skɪmp/verb★Intermediate
informal
To use or provide less of something than is necessary or appropriate, often to save money or effort
She decided to skimp on ingredients to save money for her party.
He skimps on sleep to meet his work deadlines.
💡
Often used in negative contexts to imply poor quality or insufficient effort.
Collocations
skimp onto use less of something than is neededskimp byto manage with minimal resources
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
skimp and savephrase
to save money by reducing expenses
💡Pro Tip
Usage Tip
Use 'skimp' to describe intentional reduction in quality or quantity, often for financial reasons.
⚡Gold Rule
Avoid Negative Connotations
'Skimp' often implies poor quality. Use alternatives like 'optimize' for positive contexts.
📖Word Origin
From Middle English 'scympen' (to cut, reduce), related to Old Norse 'skymja' (to damage).
📝Usage Notes
Often used with 'on' (e.g., 'skimp on details') to specify what is being reduced.
Word Breakdown
skimp
to reduce or cut back
rootEnglish Dictionary