Cheapskate: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฐ
cheapskate
[ หtสiหp.skeษชk ]
financial behavior
A cheapskate is someone who is excessively frugal or stingy, often refusing to spend money even when it is necessary or appropriate. This term is typically used in a negative context to describe individuals who avoid paying their fair share, seek out the best deals obsessively, or are unwilling to invest in quality. Cheapskates may take pride in their ability to save money but can come off as miserly to those around them. Their behavior often leads to social friction, especially in group settings where expenses are shared.
Synonyms
miser, penny-pincher, scrooge, skinflint, tightwad.
Examples of usage
- He's such a cheapskate that he never buys his friends coffee.
- You could tell she was a cheapskate when she insisted on splitting the bill down to the last penny.
- As a cheapskate, he always looks for the biggest discount, even if it means sacrificing quality.
- It's frustrating being friends with a cheapskate who never wants to spend any money.
- Some people think being a cheapskate is savvy, but it can ruin friendships.
Translations
Translations of the word "cheapskate" in other languages:
๐ต๐น miserรกvel
- pรฃo-duro
- avarento
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคเคเฅเคธ
๐ฉ๐ช Geizkragen
๐ฎ๐ฉ pelit
๐บ๐ฆ ัะบะฝะฐัะฐ
๐ต๐ฑ skฤ piec
๐ฏ๐ต ใใก
๐ซ๐ท radin
๐ช๐ธ tacaรฑo
๐น๐ท cimri
๐ฐ๐ท ๊ตฌ๋์
๐ธ๐ฆ ุจุฎูู
๐จ๐ฟ ลกkrลฅa
๐ธ๐ฐ ลกkrลฅa
๐จ๐ณ ๅฐๆฐ้ฌผ
๐ธ๐ฎ skop
๐ฎ๐ธ fรญflari
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะตัะบะต
๐ฌ๐ช แแแ แแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ xษsis
๐ฒ๐ฝ tacaรฑo
Etymology
The term 'cheapskate' originated in the late 19th century in the United States, combining the word 'cheap,' which refers to low cost or price, with 'skate,' a slang term for a scoundrel or rascal. The first recorded use of 'cheapskate' appeared around 1916 and was often associated with someone who would go to great lengths to avoid spending money. The phrase captures the essence of stinginess that many people associate with individuals who are overly concerned with saving money. Over time, this term has evolved within colloquial speech to denote someone who not only saves money but does so in a way that may be socially unacceptable. In contemporary culture, 'cheapskate' is frequently used humorously or pejoratively to describe individuals who are excessively thrifty or reluctant to contribute financially, even in situations where it would be reasonable to do so.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #40,767, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.