skinflint

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. One who is excessively stingy or cautious with money; a tightwad; a miser.

Pronunciation

/ˈskɪnflɪnt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-skinflint.wav

Word forms

skinflint skinflints

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.

Derived words

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