Unthrifty, spelled /ʌnˈθrɪfti/, is an adjective that describes someone or something that is wasteful, careless or lacking in financial savings. The first syllable of the word is pronounced as "un", representing the negative prefix added before the root word "thrifty". The stressed syllable is "thrift" pronounced as /θrɪft/ and is followed by a silent y. The suffix "y" is used to convert "thrift" into its adjectival form. Unthrifty is a useful word to describe someone who has poor money management skills or who is generally prone to wastefulness.
Unthrifty is an adjective used to describe someone or something that is careless, wasteful, or lacking in financial prudence. It refers to individuals or entities who tend to disregard wise spending habits, failing to manage resources judiciously or economize effectively.
When applied to individuals, unthrifty implies a propensity for imprudent spending habits and an inability to save money or prioritize financial matters appropriately. Those characterized as unthrifty often engage in impulsive purchases, excessive borrowing, or excessive consumption without consideration for future consequences. They may display an overall lack of discipline in managing their finances, resulting in financial hardships or debt accumulation.
In the business context, unthrifty relates to entities that exhibit poor financial management practices and inefficient expenditure. Such entities may overlook cost-saving opportunities, have inadequate budget control mechanisms, or make poor investment decisions. The consequence of unthrifty behavior within businesses can include financial instability, reduced profits, and potential bankruptcy.
Furthermore, unthrifty may also extend to descriptions of wastefulness in the use of non-monetary resources. This can encompass scenarios where there is excessive consumption of energy, water, or other finite resources without consideration for sustainability or conservation.
Overall, the term unthrifty denotes a lack of prudence, discipline, or foresight in the management of resources, whether it be finances or other valuable assets.
Prodigal; lavish; profuse.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "unthrifty" is derived from the combination of the prefix "un-" meaning "not" or "lack of", and the adjective "thrifty".
The word "thrifty" originated from the Old English word "thrifig" which means "prosperous" or "successful". This Old English word came from the Old Norse word "þrift", meaning "success" or "good fortune".
Ultimately, the root of "thrifty" can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*þriftiz", which meant "thrift" or "success". This Proto-Germanic word is also related to the Gothic word "þriutan", meaning "to prosper" or "to thrive".