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tightwad

/ˌtaɪtˈwɑd/
IPA guide

Other forms: tightwads

A tightwad is someone who avoids spending money, like a relative who wraps a piece of junk from the basement in used wrapping paper and gives it to you, even though he or she could afford to buy you a nice birthday present.

The “tight” part of this word refers to “close-fisted.” It’ll help you remember the meaning of tightwad if you picture a person with his fist tightly closed around a wad of money, not giving it up for anyone or anything. A tightwad takes being merely frugal or careful with money to a whole new level. It's not that tightwads are poor; they simply hate to part with their money, even if it's just a single dollar.

Definitions of tightwad
  1. noun
    a miserly person
    synonyms: cheapskate
    see moresee less
    type of:
    miser
    a stingy hoarder of money and possessions (often living miserably)
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