saving
saving Lexical Profile
saving Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The money that a person has kept and accumulated over time, typically in a bank account or investment (usually used in the plural, 'savings').
"They used a portion of their life savings to make a down payment on their first home."
An economy of or reduction in money, time, or another resource that would otherwise have been spent or wasted.
"Switching to energy-efficient appliances resulted in a significant saving on our monthly electricity bill."
The act of rescuing, preserving, or protecting someone or something from danger, loss, or destruction.
"The conservation group dedicated its efforts to the saving of endangered coastal wetlands."
• adjective
Bringing about rescue, redemption, or preservation from harm, failure, or loss; compensating for other faults (especially in 'saving grace').
"Her quick sense of humor was the saving grace of an otherwise tense and awkward meeting."
Careful in the management of money or resources; thrifty and avoiding waste.
"Raised during a period of economic hardship, he remained a saving and cautious man throughout his life."
• preposition
With the exception of; except or apart from (used in formal or literary contexts).
"All the vessels in the fleet returned safely to port, saving one small schooner delayed by the fog."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a noun, 'saving' in the singular usually refers to a specific reduction in cost or time (e.g., 'a saving of ten percent'), whereas the plural form 'savings' refers to accumulated money set aside in a bank or investment account.
• Rhymes for saving
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Middle English verb 'saven', borrowed from Old French 'sauver' and Late Latin 'salvare' ('to make safe'), ultimately from the Latin adjective 'salvus' ('safe, unharmed').