Scrooge
|scrooge|
/skruːdʒ/
miser; stinginess
Etymology
'Scrooge' originates from English, specifically introduced by Charles Dickens as the surname of his character 'Ebenezer Scrooge' in the 1843 novella 'A Christmas Carol'.
'Scrooge' was coined by Dickens for his fictional character; the name quickly passed into common English as a noun meaning 'miser' and later as a verb and adjective derived from the character's traits.
Initially it was a fictional surname for a character in a 19th-century novella, but over time it evolved into the common English word meaning 'a miser' and into verb/adjective forms meaning 'to act miserly' or 'miserly in character'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
proper name: Ebenezer Scrooge, the main character in Charles Dickens's 1843 novella 'A Christmas Carol'.
Scrooge is visited by three spirits in 'A Christmas Carol'.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a miserly or stingy person; someone who hoards money and dislikes spending.
Don't be a Scrooge—invite everyone to the party.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 1
to act like a Scrooge: to be stingy or to spoil others' enjoyment by being miserly.
Some neighbors Scrooge when it comes to holiday decorations.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
describing someone or something as miserly or joyless in the manner of Scrooge (often used as 'Scrooge-like').
His Scrooge-like refusal to contribute embarrassed everyone.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/06 16:41