cheapskate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "cheapskate" is a valid word in written English and it is defined as someone who is reluctant to spend money.
An example sentence could be: "He's such a cheapskate; he never buys anything unless it's on sale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No. "My inner cheapskate will win out every time," says a cost-conscious Safi.

The Guardian - Travel

Even the cheapskate strategy of buying a paper-thin presence is being closed off.

The Economist

Politico.com, October 2nd Look after the pennies…"Mitt is a cheapskate.

The Economist

That makes sense, I suppose, although as a would-be cheapskate myself, pardon my chagrin.Fired up by today's Starbucks buzz I explore the newly expanded Seattle Art Museum, known cutely as SAM.

The Economist

This makes attacks on cheapskate reform look suddenly misplaced; it means that state governments have the cash to help dependent paupers acquire the skills and appetite for work.

The Economist

Maximising profits can often mean lowering supply: goods are not provided to cheapskate shoppers so that more can be made from high-rollers.

The Economist

Known as an abstractionist, Guston surprised the New York art world in 1970 with pictures of bloated cartoon-like figures blundering their way through a cheapskate world.

The Economist

The second, "The Drapier's Letters", blocked England's imposition on Ireland of that cheapskate copper coinage, Wood's Halfpence.Swift's written works fill many volumes, and his verbal agility is second to none.

The Economist

It is certainly no cheapskate.

The Economist

So, two years ago Ryanair dumped its old "for better or worse" motto, which gave a sort of "suck it up, cheapskate" feel, and replaced it with "always getting better", which at least had a bit of forward momentum.

Independent

Their lack of worldliness led to some disastrous business choices, however, such as the decision to make a movie which all but bankrupted the band; or the legendary visit to play at the Egyptian pyramids, the costs for which were to be recouped by a live triple-album that had to be abandoned due to the out-of-tune piano which was the result of an earlier cheapskate short-term decision.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cheapskate" when you want to convey a negative connotation of someone being excessively unwilling to spend money, often to the point of being unfair or unreasonable.

Common error

Avoid using "cheapskate" to describe someone who is simply being frugal or economical. "Cheapskate" implies a level of stinginess that is often viewed negatively, whereas frugality is generally seen as a positive trait.

Linguistic Context

The word "cheapskate" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a person who is unwilling to spend money. According to Ludwig AI, this term is widely recognized and understood in English. As exemplified in the Ludwig examples, it carries a negative connotation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "cheapskate" is a commonly used noun to describe someone excessively unwilling to spend money, often to an unreasonable or unfair degree. As Ludwig AI points out, the term is grammatically sound and widely recognized. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, its purpose is often to criticize or express disapproval of a person's stinginess. While "cheapskate" shares semantic ground with terms like "miser" and "tightwad", it's crucial to differentiate it from simple frugality, as it carries a distinctly negative connotation. Use this word when you want to highlight an unreasonable reluctance to spend, rather than simply describing economical behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Miser

Focuses on hoarding wealth and being unwilling to spend it.

Tightwad

Implies extreme frugality and unwillingness to part with money.

Penny-pincher

Highlights careful management and avoidance of unnecessary expenses.

Skinflint

Suggests meanness and extreme stinginess.

Niggard

An outdated term implying a reluctant and stingy person.

Scrooge

References the fictional character known for extreme miserliness, and reluctance to spend money.

Frugal person

Emphasizes thriftiness but can also imply excessive saving.

Economical spender

Focuses on making wise and efficient spending choices.

Thrifty individual

Highlights the positive aspect of saving and avoiding waste.

Parsimonious person

Implies extreme reluctance to spend money and being very unwilling to give or spend.

FAQs

How can I use "cheapskate" in a sentence?

You can use "cheapskate" to describe someone who is excessively unwilling to spend money. For example, "He's such a cheapskate; he always tries to avoid paying his share."

What's a less offensive synonym for "cheapskate"?

If you want to avoid being too harsh, you could use words like "frugal" or "thrifty", although these do not carry the same negative connotation.

When is it appropriate to call someone a "cheapskate"?

It's appropriate when someone is not only frugal but also unfairly stingy or unwilling to contribute their fair share, especially when it inconveniences others.

What's the difference between being "cheapskate" and being frugal?

"Cheapskate" implies a negative connotation of extreme stinginess, while being frugal is generally seen as a positive trait of managing money wisely and avoiding unnecessary expenses.