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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate

scrooge

skrooj

Scrooge (noun) means a person who is stingy and reluctant to spend money. Example: “Don't be such a scrooge — treat yourself once in a while.”

noun
1
A person who is stingy and reluctant to spend money.
"Don't be such a scrooge — treat yourself once in a while."
"He's a scrooge who reuses tea bags twice."
2
A person who is unenthusiastic or grumpy about Christmas.
"Stop being a scrooge and put up the decorations."

How to use scrooge

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA miser, or someone who hates Christmas cheer — named after Dickens's famous character.

Common pairings
a real scrooge act like a scrooge don't be a scrooge

Word forms

scrooged past tense, scrooged past tense, scrooges plural, scrooges singular, scrooges singular

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Don't be such a _____ — treat yourself once in a while.

Etymology

From Ebenezer Scrooge, the miserly central character of Charles Dickens's 1843 novella A Christmas Carol.

· First attested 1843

Class of 1843 scrooge joined the language around 1843.
See the full Class of 1843 →

Related words

Rhymes for scrooge

See all rhymes for scrooge →

Frequently asked questions

What does “scrooge” mean?

The word “scrooge” means a person who is stingy and reluctant to spend money. In plain terms, a miser, or someone who hates Christmas cheer — named after Dickens's famous character.

How do you pronounce “scrooge”?

“Scrooge” is pronounced skrooj (/skɹuːd͡ʒ/ in IPA).

How do you use “scrooge” in a sentence?

Here is “scrooge” used in a sentence: “Don't be such a scrooge — treat yourself once in a while.”

What part of speech is “scrooge”?

“Scrooge” is a noun.

Where does the word “scrooge” come from?

The word “scrooge” dates back to around 1843. From Ebenezer Scrooge, the miserly central character of Charles Dickens's 1843 novella A Christmas Carol.

How many meanings does “scrooge” have?

“Scrooge” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who is stingy and reluctant to spend money.

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