Dictionary

cheapness en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Southern-England) audio
• /ˈtʃiːpnəs/ (UK)

Etymology

Etymology tree English cheap Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English cheapness From cheap + -ness.

Meanings

1. (of a person, uncountable, usually) The state or character trait of being cheap (stingy).
   • Mrs. Jallatt didn't study cheapness, but somehow she generally attained it. 1910, Saki [pseudonym; Hector Hugh Munro], “The Strategist”, in Reginald in Russia and Other Sketches, London: Methuen & Co. […], →OCLC, page 85:
   • Her mother, in 1684, retiring with'her daughter, for cheapness, to some place in Surrey, (she does not tell us where,) became acquainted with Dr. Glisson […] 1800, Edmond Malone, The Critical and Miscellaneous Prose Works of John Dryden:
   • He was also interested in the cost of book production, as can be seen in his article on the cheapness of papyrus as a writing material. 2004, James Keith Elliott, The Collected Biblical Writings of T.C. Skeat:
   • His cheapness was legendary; he refused to use candles or lamps, not to reduce the risk of fire but rather to save a penny.
2. (of a product, uncountable, usually) The state or characteristic of being cheap (whether inexpensive, poorly made, or both).
   • It seems to me that whoever at the Department of Transport or the train operating companies, or both, is specifying the standard of seats these days has taken leave of their senses and opted for cheapness over comfort. 2023 July 26, Pip Dunn, “Merseyrail '777s' are OK for passengers”, in RAIL, number 988, page 60:
3. (of a product, uncountable, usually) The state or characteristic of being cheap (whether inexpensive, poorly made, or both). ▸ Synonym of shoddiness.
   • The cheapness of the manufacturing is insulting. [the product is poorly made]
4. (of a product, uncountable, usually) The state or characteristic of being cheap (whether inexpensive, poorly made, or both). ▸ Synonym of inexpensiveness; affordability.
   • The cheapness of the offerings is amazing. [the prices are surprisingly good]

Forms

Synonyms

stinginess · meanness · shoddiness · niggardliness · miserliness · frugality · inexpensiveness · parsimony · tightness · thriftiness

Translations (10)

hi सस्तापन (state of being cheap) · ota اوجوزلق (state of being cheap) · lv lētums (state of being cheap) · hi सस्ताई (state of being cheap) · fi halpuus (state of being cheap) · ru дешеви́зна (state of being cheap) · tr ucuzluk (state of being cheap) · es baratura (state of being cheap) · ar رُخْص (state of being cheap) · el φτήνια (state of being cheap)