skimp

IPA/skɪmp/
KK[skˈɪmp]IPA/skɪmp/

skimp — verb

  • skimppresent simple I / you / we / they
  • skimpshe / she / it
  • skimpedpast simple
  • skimping-ing form

1. to provide or use less of something (such as time, money, materials, or effort)

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

to provide or use less of something (such as time, money, materials, or effort) than is really necessary, usually in an attempt to save costs, with the result that the quality of the finished work or experience suffers.

Example

Hana skimped on ingredients for her sister's cake, and it came out dry and bland.

skimp on + [ingredients]

The contractor skimped on insulation, so the house was freezing cold every winter.

Common collocations
  • skimp on quality
  • skimp on ingredients
  • skimp on materials
  • skimp on sleep
  • skimp on details
  • skimp on safety
  • skimp on effort
Synonyms
  • stint

    more formal; 'stint on' means to give only a small or limited amount, often of money or time

  • cut corners

    an idiom meaning to do something less thoroughly to save time or money; implies deliberate shortcuts rather than mere insufficiency

  • scrimp

    usually paired with 'skimp' ('scrimp and skimp'); 'scrimp' alone focuses more on extreme economising on everyday expenses

Antonyms
  • splurge

    to spend a lot of money freely, the opposite of being sparing

  • lavish

    to give or spend generously, ensuring quality is not compromised

Grammar Patterns

skimp + on + [something]

skimp + [amount/resource]

Usage Note

When the thing being skimped is stated, the preposition 'on' almost always follows: 'skimp on quality', 'skimp on ingredients'. A direct transitive use ('They skimped the portions') exists but is less common. The person skimping is usually a decision-maker — a cook, a manager, a builder — not someone with no control over resources.

Common Mistakes

We skimped the project because we ran out of time.
We skimped on the project because we ran out of time.
'Skimp' needs a preposition ('on') when followed by the thing that received insufficient resources.
She skimped the money and bought a cheaper car.
She skimped on spending and bought a cheaper car.
The thing skimped is not the money but the activity or resource that receives too little.

skimp — adjective

Etymology

First known use

1775

1775, in the meaning defined above Verb