Thrifty

USAGE SUMMARY

"thrifty" is a perfectly valid word in written English.
It means "careful and diligent in the use of resources; frugal". For example, you could say: "I'm trying to be more thrifty and save money by using coupons".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In May, her blog won the judges' choice prize at the glitzy Fortnum and Mason food awards (they praised Monroe's recipes as "so nutritious and thrifty that they are being handed out by food banks as examples of how to manage on next to nothing").

The Guardian

"I was brought up in a very thrifty household, which is why 10 10 has been reasonably easy for us.

The Guardian

Survey after survey also revealed that political beliefs had, if anything, shifted rightward; cool on immigration, cynical about benefits and, like the thrifty Scots Margaret Thatcher always believed them to be, keen to withhold as much of their income from the state as possible.

The Guardian

Debt-addicted Americans and Spaniards would chip away at their obligations; thrifty German and Chinese consumers would start to enjoy life for once.

The Economist

The thrifty burghers even voted down plans to bid for the winter Olympics.So is Keynesian stimulus banned?

The Economist

And those automatically enrolled in the pension studied by Ms Madrian and Mr Shea tend to stick with the low, default contribution rate of about 3%.Nannyish governments, not all of them very thrifty themselves, are exhorting the public to do better.

The Economist

Norway's thrifty governments have stashed away $840 billion from their share of the North Sea's treasure.

The Economist

Yet, however unfair it may seem to the thrifty, rate cuts are needed to boost the overall economy.Another way in which monetary policy retains some of its clout is through the exchange rate.

The Economist

For him, the key to his bank's success (a recent survey rated it the most efficient and most profitable bank in Italy) is devising products to meet the particular needs of the bank's local clientele.Piedmont and Lombardy, the prosperous regions where Banca Regionale Europea is based, have the highest rate of household saving in Italy, itself a thrifty country.

The Economist

Energy efficiency has been nobody's priority: it takes time and money that architects, builders, landlords and tenants would rather spend on other things.In countries with no tradition of thrifty energy use, the skills needed are in short supply, too.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Just wait until the ultra-thrifty Estonians are in the club too.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person or entity, use "thrifty" to highlight their resourcefulness and avoidance of waste. For example, "a thrifty shopper" or "a thrifty government".

Common error

Avoid using "thrifty" when you mean simply inexpensive. "Thrifty" implies good management of resources, not necessarily low cost. A cheap product might be poorly made, while a "thrifty" choice is about maximizing value.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "thrifty" primarily functions as a descriptive term, characterizing something or someone as being economical and careful in the use of resources. Ludwig AI confirms its role in modifying nouns to indicate a quality of frugality or efficient management, as seen in examples like "a thrifty household".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "thrifty" describes the quality of being economical and avoiding waste. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While similar to terms like "frugal" and "economical", "thrifty" often emphasizes resourcefulness and responsible financial behavior. A key point to remember is to avoid confusing "thrifty" with "cheap"; the former implies value maximization, while the latter simply indicates low cost. To employ the term effectively, use it to highlight efficient resource management and positive financial habits.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Frugal

Focuses on avoiding waste and being economical, similar to "Thrifty" but can sometimes imply a stricter approach to spending.

Economical

Highlights efficient use of resources and cost-effectiveness, a slightly broader term than "Thrifty".

Prudent

Emphasizes wisdom and careful consideration in financial decisions, adding a layer of foresight not always present in "Thrifty".

Saving

Implies setting aside money for future use, a specific action that contributes to being "Thrifty".

Austere

Suggests a strict and self-denying approach to spending, more extreme than simply being "Thrifty".

Parsimonious

Often carries a negative connotation of being excessively unwilling to spend money, a more extreme version of "Thrifty".

Cost-effective

Focuses on achieving maximum value for the money spent, a practical aspect of being "Thrifty".

Money-saving

Directly relates to actions that reduce expenses, a specific outcome of being "Thrifty".

Conservative

Suggests a cautious and traditional approach to financial management, which can include being "Thrifty".

Spendy

Measures to be on the economy side when acquiring services or products in order to save money.

FAQs

How to use "Thrifty" in a sentence?

"Thrifty" is typically used as an adjective to describe someone or something that is economical and avoids waste. For example, "She is a "thrifty shopper" who always looks for deals" or "The company's "thrifty practices" helped them survive the recession".

What can I say instead of "Thrifty"?

You can use alternatives like "frugal", "economical", or "prudent" depending on the specific context. Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of resource management.

Which is correct, "Thrifty" or "Cheap"?

"Thrifty" and "cheap" are not interchangeable. "Thrifty" implies careful and efficient use of resources, while "cheap" simply means low in price and can suggest poor quality. Being "thrifty is preferable" to just buying the cheapest option.

What's the difference between "Thrifty" and "Economical"?

Both terms relate to saving money, but "thrifty" often describes a person's disposition or behavior, whereas "economical" describes a choice or system that saves money. An "economical car" is designed to save fuel; a "thrifty" person chooses to buy that car.