cheapskate

[ cheep-skeyt ]

noun

1. a person who is stingy and miserly.

verb (used without object)

, cheap·skat·ed, cheap·skat·ing.

1. to act in a stingy or miserly way.

cheapskate

/ ˈtʃiːpˌskeɪt /

noun

1. informal.
   a miserly person

Word History and Origins

Origin of cheapskate¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; cheap + skate ³

Example Sentences

Old Jerry is running a cheapskate campaign, and he has not stated clearly why he wants to be governor again.

From The Daily Beast

We chose to get married at City Hall mostly because I'm a cheapskate.

From The Daily Beast

Of the two-fifty, you extract a dollar, feeling that the Senior Holden is a cheapskate.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Cheapskate

What does cheapskate mean?

A cheapskate is a person who doesn’t like to give or spend money—someone who’s stingy.

Cheapskate is a very informal word that’s always used in a negative way, as an insult.

Example: Some cheapskate left me a quarter and two pennies as a tip today.

Where does cheapskate come from?

The first records of cheapskate come from the 1890s. It’s a combination of the word cheap, meaning “stingy,” and the word skate, which can be used as a negative slang term for a person who’s generally disliked.

Cheapskates are not good tippers. And don’t expect them to spend much on a gift—if they buy you one at all! Cheapskates typically avoid spending money however they can. While some similar terms like penny pincher can be used in a positive way (implying that someone is wisely frugal) or a negative way (implying that someone is stingy), cheapskate is always used negatively. It’s an insult very similar to words like tightwad and skinflint.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for cheapskate?

• cheapo
• cheapie
• tightwad
• skinflint
• penny pincher
• miser

What are some words that share a root or word element with cheapskate? 

• cheap
• skate
• cheapen

What are some words that often get used in discussing cheapskate?

• money
• spending
• giving

How is cheapskate used in real life?

Cheapskate is always used negatively, but some people apply it to themselves as a source of pride.

I'm such a cheapskate that I literally cannot justify spending more than 10 dollars for a shirt so shopping for me is always agonizing

— steve (@__EvenStephen) June 4, 2017

Chief Wiggum: I wonder if Lou suspects that I was his secret santa
Lou: What kind of cheapskate gives one corn holder?#EverySimpsonsEver

— Every.Simpsons.Ever (@EverySimpsons) December 26, 2016

When my parents backpacked through Europe years ago, they travelled with an electric fry pan, so they could cook up stir-fries in their hotel room.

Budget travel is in my blood! I was raised to stretch every penny. Destined to be the biggest cheapskate this world has ever seen!

— Travelling Light (@travellightblog) October 1, 2018

 

Try using cheapskate!

Which of the following words is LEAST likely to be used to describe someone considered a cheapskate?

A. generous
B. stingy
C. tight-fisted
D. miserly