thrift

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   The characteristic of using a minimum of something (especially money).

   • His thrift can be seen in how little the trashman takes from his house.
   • The rest, […] willing to fall to thrift , as I have seene many souldiers after the service to prove very good husbands
   • […] it would appear that before taking this precaution Mr. Bree must have had the thrift to remove a modest competency of the gold […]
2. 2

   A savings bank.

   • Usually, home mortgages are obtained from thrifts.
3. 3

   Any of various plants of the genus Armeria, particularly Armeria maritima.

4. ›+ 4 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Success and advance in the acquisition of property

      Success and advance in the acquisition of property; increase of worldly goods; gain; prosperity; profit.

      • Bassanio: […]And many Jasons come in quest of her. O my Antonio, had I but the means To hold a rival place with one of them, I have a mind presages me such thrift, That I should questionless be fortunate!
      • Hamlet: No, let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp, And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee Where thrift may follow fawning.
   2. 5

      Vigorous growth, as of a plant.

   3. 6

      To shop or browse at a thrift shop

      To shop or browse at a thrift shop; to buy (something) at a thrift shop.

      • They like to go thrifting on weekends.
      • I thrifted these vintage coffee mugs.
      • She probably thrifted the T-shirt and shorts. Bought the hiking boots yesterday at Copeland's. She's not much of a hiker, Xerxes thinks.
   4. 7

      A surname.

The neighborhood

• antonymspendthrift