thrifty

/ˈθrɪfti/

/ˈθrɪfti/

Other forms: thriftier; thriftiest

Being thrifty means being careful of your money and how you spend it. Think twice before you spend, but if you must shop, hitting the sales and using coupons are good ways to be thrifty.

Note the similarity between the adjective thrifty and the verb thrive, and you'll realize that being careful with your money might be an important survival tactic. Everyone worries about having enough — look at how thrift shops have become important sources of clothing and other goods for many people, allowing them to buy without spending a fortune. Being thrifty is a solid virtue, as suggested by the old German proverb, "Prudent men woo thrifty women."

Definitions of thrifty

1. adjective

   mindful of the future in spending money
   synonyms: careful

   provident

   providing carefully for the future
2. adjective

   careful and diligent in the use of resources
   synonyms:

   provident

   providing carefully for the future

   economical, frugal, scotch, sparing, stinting

   avoiding waste

   penny-wise

   thrifty in small matters only

   saving

   characterized by thriftiness

   antonyms:

   wasteful

   tending to squander and waste

   improvident

   not provident; not providing for the future

   extravagant, prodigal, profligate, spendthrift

   recklessly wasteful

   pound-foolish

   unwise in dealing with large sums

   uneconomic, uneconomical

   wasteful of resources