French Conversation · Level 46
74 words
French word
avare
Pronunciation
IPA/avaʁ/
Meaning
- adjectivestingy
Example
Il est avare.
He is stingy.
More examples
Il est avare avec son argent.
He is stingy with his money.
Core concept
A closed hand guarding money and possessions instead of letting them circulate.
Common phrases
être avare
be stingy
avare avec son argent
stingy with his money
avare en paroles
sparing with words
Similar words
pingre: Very stingy with money, avoiding expenses even when they are necessary.
radin: Habitually reluctant to spend money and unwilling to pay.
mesquin: Pettily stingy in small matters, making actions and words seem mean-spirited.
Definition in French
Qui manque de générosité et retient son argent ou ses biens plutôt que de les donner ou de les partager.
Word origin
French avare descends from Latin avarus through Old French, retaining the idea of excessive reluctance to give or spend.
Usage tips
- Économe describes careful, often sensible saving, whereas avare is normally critical and suggests an unwillingness to share.