Phrase guide

bean counter

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A person who is excessively interested in controlling or reducing expenses, increasing profits, or in quantitative details in general.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: derogatory, idiomatic, mildly

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

an accountant or bureaucrat who is believed to place undue emphasis on the control of expenditures

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: accountant, comptroller, controller, bureaucrat, administrative official

History

Etymology

Probably from German Erbsenzähler (literally “pea counter”).

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: penninpyörittäjä — person excessively interested in expenses and quantitative details
  • German: Erbsenzähler — person excessively interested in expenses and quantitative details
  • German: Erbsenzählerin — person excessively interested in expenses and quantitative details
  • Slovak: ciferšpión — person excessively interested in expenses and quantitative details