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Definition of skinflint

skinflint

/ˈskɪn.flɪnt/
skin · flint
Plural:skinflints
•
Adjective:skinflinty
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skinflint Lexical Profile

skinflint Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who spends as little money as possible; an ungenerous, miserly individual.

Example

"The old landlord had a reputation as a skinflint who refused to pay for basic heating repairs."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for skinflint

• Nearby Words

skimpy
skin
skincare
skinflint
skinfold
skinhead
skink

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 17th century from the proverbial phrase "to skin a flint," a hyperbolic expression describing someone so excessively greedy that they would attempt to flay a hard stone if it yielded even the slightest profit.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Skinflint. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/skinflint
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