“Scrooge” means a very stingy, selfish person who does not like spending money and often seems cold or unfriendly. It is usually used to describe someone who cares too much about money and not enough about other people.
People use “Scrooge” in everyday English to talk about someone who is being miserly or refusing to share, give, or celebrate. It can be used seriously, but it is often a light insult or joke, especially around holidays when someone does not want to spend money or join in the fun.
Meaning & Usage
The word comes from the character Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Because of that story, “Scrooge” is now a common word for a person who is greedy, mean with money, or not generous.
Examples
“Don’t be such a Scrooge—buy everyone a coffee.”
“My boss is a real Scrooge when it comes to bonuses.”
Is “Scrooge” always negative?
Yes, usually it is negative. It suggests the person is too cheap, selfish, or not kind enough.
Can it be used as a joke?
Yes. People often use it jokingly, especially if someone is being overly careful with money or not in the holiday spirit.
Where does the word come from?
It comes from Ebenezer Scrooge, the famous character in Dickens’ story A Christmas Carol.
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