skinflint

[skin-flint]

noun

1. a mean, stingy person; miser.

   Synonyms: Scrooge, pinchpenny, hoarder

skinflint

/ ˈskɪnˌflɪnt /

noun

1. an ungenerous or niggardly person; miser

Other Word Forms

• skinflinty adjective
• skinflintily adverb
• skinflintiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of skinflint¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; skin + flint

Word History and Origins

Origin of skinflint¹

C18: referring to a person so avaricious that he would skin (swindle) a flint

Example Sentences

After a relationship marked by Turner being neat freak and a skinflint, they broke up after he shamed her for gaining 10 pounds.

From Salon

Trump has probably only avoided being outed for having paid for an abortion by virtue of being a skinflint notorious for reneging on promises to pay for anything.

From Salon

I was looking forward to Camp and Marvel as skinflint actor James and benighted addict Mary.

From Washington Post

It was the central article of faith for Reaganites, for Paul Ryan, and for every conservative skinflint back to Andrew Mellon.

From Salon

Despite the benefits in this measure, U.S. pandemic relief remains among the most skinflint, cheeseparing packages in the developed world.

From Los Angeles Times