penny pincher

[ pen-ee pin-cher ]

noun

1. a miserly or stingy person.

Other Words From

• pen·ny-pinch·ing noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of penny pincher¹

First recorded in 1920–25; penny ( def ) + pincher ( def ); pinch ( def ) (in sense “to economize unduly”); pinchpenny ( def )

Idioms and Phrases

see pinch pennies .

Example Sentences

Who would have ever imagined that working for a penny pincher like Frank McCourt would be a plus?

From Los Angeles Times

I’m a natural-born penny pincher, so it just seemed crazy to me that folks would go on vacation without having an emergency fund.

From Washington Post

In hindsight, it worked out very well for Kendall Ellis that she had become an expert penny pincher during her four years running track for USC.

From Los Angeles Times

I generally don’t bristle at being called cheap because I am a proud penny pincher.

From Washington Post

Unless your child is an avowed penny pincher who has never begged, “Will you buy me this? Please? Puh-leeze?” leave the kids at home.

From Seattle Times