moneygrubber: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Informal, Pejorative
Quick answer
What does “moneygrubber” mean?
A person whose main interest is in acquiring wealth, especially in a grasping, miserly, or unscrupulous way.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person whose main interest is in acquiring wealth, especially in a grasping, miserly, or unscrupulous way.
Someone obsessively focused on accumulating money, often to the exclusion of ethical considerations, generosity, or personal relationships.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used and understood in both varieties, with no significant spelling or form differences.
Connotations
Equally pejorative in both dialects.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, perhaps slightly more prevalent in American English due to historical frontier/capitalist narratives.
Grammar
How to Use “moneygrubber” in a Sentence
[be/consider/call] + a moneygrubbera moneygrubber + [who/whose]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “moneygrubber” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (No common verb form 'to moneygrub'.)
American English
- (No common verb form 'to moneygrub'.)
adverb
British English
- (No common adverbial form.)
American English
- (No common adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- His moneygrubbing ways lost him all his friends.
- I despise such moneygrubbing behaviour.
American English
- The film satirizes moneygrubbing corporate culture.
- He was accused of moneygrubbing tactics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used critically to describe an unethical or excessively greedy colleague or competitor.
Academic
Rare. May appear in literary criticism, sociology, or history discussing critiques of capitalism or greed.
Everyday
Used in informal conversation to express strong disapproval of someone's perceived greed.
Technical
Not used in technical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “moneygrubber”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “moneygrubber”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “moneygrubber”
- Spelling as two words ('money grubber') is common but the single-word form is standard. Using it as a neutral term for 'investor' or 'financier' is incorrect due to its pejorative force.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an informal and pejorative term. Use more neutral terms like 'capitalist' or 'acquisitive person' in formal writing.
Yes, it can be used in a lightly humorous or ironic way among friends, e.g., 'Come on, don't be a moneygrubber, it's your turn to buy the drinks.'
A workaholic is obsessed with work itself. A moneygrubber is obsessed with the money gained from work or other means, often implying stinginess or unethical behaviour.
Yes, the adjective 'moneygrubbing' is more frequently used than the noun to describe actions, attitudes, or people, e.g., 'moneygrubbing schemes'.
A person whose main interest is in acquiring wealth, especially in a grasping, miserly, or unscrupulous way.
Moneygrubber: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌniˌɡrʌbə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmʌniˌɡrʌbər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(No specific idiom; the word itself is a metaphorical idiom.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cartoon character with pig-like features, literally GRUBBING (digging frantically) in the dirt for coins. MONEY + GRUBBER.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A RESOURCE TO BE DUG FROM THE EARTH (like grubs/insects). GREED IS ANIMALISTIC SCAVENGING.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST synonym for 'moneygrubber' in a negative context?