What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
thriftless
Example
He was a thriftless spender, always buying things he didn't need. [thriftless: adjective]
Example
The company's thriftless practices led to financial difficulties. [thriftless: noun]
wasteful
Example
She was wasteful with water, leaving the faucet running while brushing her teeth. [wasteful: adjective]
Example
The project was deemed wasteful due to its high cost and low impact. [wasteful: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wasteful is more commonly used than thriftless in everyday language. Wasteful is a more familiar term and is often used to describe behaviors that are considered negative or harmful. Thriftless, on the other hand, is less common and may be unfamiliar to some ESL learners.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between thriftless and wasteful?
Both thriftless and wasteful are relatively informal words that are suitable for everyday conversations. However, wasteful may be more commonly used in formal writing or professional contexts to describe inefficient or ineffective use of resources.