Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
skinflint. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
skinflint, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
skinflint in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
skinflint you have here. The definition of the word
skinflint will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
skinflint, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From the phrase skin a flint (“go to extreme lengths for the sake of gain or economy”), from the brittleness and hardness of flint which makes it almost impossible to remove just its skin without shattering it.[1]
Pronunciation
Noun
skinflint (plural skinflints)
- One who is excessively stingy or cautious with money; a tightwad; a miser.
- 1842, Gogol, Dead Souls, chapter 4
- You know, he is quite a different sort from the Public Prosecutor and our other provincial skinflints--fellows who shiver in their shoes before they will spend a single kopeck.
Synonyms
Translations
References
- ^ Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language: College Edition, Cleveland and New York: The World Publishing Company, 1962, page 1367