Definition

Noun: A person who is extremely careful with money, often to the point of being unwilling to spend it even on necessary or reasonable things. The term suggests someone who "pinches" (holds tightly) every penny.

Usage

This word is used to describe a person who is overly frugal or stingy. It often carries a negative or critical connotation, implying that the person's thriftiness is excessive or unreasonable.

Examples

• His reputation as a penny pincher meant he never offered to buy a round of drinks.
• We need to be economical, but we don't want our clients to think we're penny pinchers.
• She's such a penny pincher that she reuses tea bags.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in informal and conversational contexts.
• It can be used humorously or affectionately among friends or family, though it is more commonly a criticism.

Variants and Related Words

• Penny-pinching (adjective/noun): Describing the behavior itself.
  • Their penny-pinching ways are frustrating. (adjective)
  • A bit of penny-pinching got them through the hard times. (noun)

Synonyms

• Miser: A person who hoards wealth and spends as little as possible.
• Scrooge: (From Charles Dickens) A person who is miserly and lacks generosity.
• Cheapskate: (Informal) A person who is unwilling to spend money.
• Skinflint: A person who is extremely stingy.

Antonyms

• Spendthrift: A person who spends money in an extravagant, irresponsible way.
• Big spender: A person who spends money freely and generously.

Idioms and Related Phrases

• Pinch pennies: To be very careful with money, to economize severely.
  • We had to pinch pennies to afford the vacation.
• Tight-fisted: Unwilling to spend money; mean.
  • He's too tight-fisted to donate to charity.

Noun

1. someone who is excessively careful with money (who pinches every penny before letting go of it)