le radin

Definition & meaning

Radin is an informal, usually disapproving French word meaning stingy or cheap. It describes someone who is reluctant to spend money or share what they have.

As a noun, un radin means a cheapskate or a tightwad. The feminine form is radine.

Grammar & Word origin

Radin is an adjective and a noun. Its forms are radin (masculine singular), radine (feminine singular), radins (masculine plural), and radines (feminine plural).

It is a colloquial word. Its exact origin is uncertain, and it is not generally treated as a combination of smaller meaningful parts.

Synonyms & antonyms

• avare ↗ — “stingy” or “miserly”; a close synonym, but a little more formal.
• pingre ↗ — “miserly”; similarly negative and often emphasizes reluctance to spend.
• économe ↗ — “thrifty” or “economical”; usually more neutral or positive than radin.
• généreux ↗ — “generous”; a direct opposite when describing someone willing to give or share.
• dépensier ↗ — “spendthrift”; an opposite in spending habits, though it does not necessarily mean generous.

Common phrases & collocations

• être radin ↗ — “to be stingy”
• un vrai radin ↗ — “a real cheapskate”
• radin avec son argent ↗ — “stingy with one’s money”