noun · 6 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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UK:/ˈtʃiːpnəs/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -iːpnəs
CMU ARPABET:CH IY1 P N AH0 S
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The state or character trait of being cheap (stingy).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable, usually
Examples
His cheapness was legendary; he refused to use candles or lamps, not to reduce the risk of fire but rather to save a penny.
The state or characteristic of being cheap (whether inexpensive, poorly made, or both).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
The state or characteristic of being cheap (whether inexpensive, poorly made, or both).
Synonym of shoddiness.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable, usually
Examples
The cheapness of the manufacturing is insulting. [the product is poorly made]
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: shoddiness
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
The state or characteristic of being cheap (whether inexpensive, poorly made, or both).
Synonym of inexpensiveness; affordability.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable, usually
Examples
The cheapness of the offerings is amazing. [the prices are surprisingly good]
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: inexpensiveness
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
tastelessness by virtue of being cheap and vulgar
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: tackiness, tat, sleaze
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: tastelessness
6
noun
Meaning 6
a price below the standard price
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: bargain rate, cut rate, cut price
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: inexpensiveness
History
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.
Across languages
Translations
10 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Arabic:
رُخْص
(ruḵṣ)
— state of being cheap
Finnish:
halpuus
— state of being cheap
Greek:
φτήνια
(ftínia)
— state of being cheap
Hindi:
सस्तापन
(sastāpan)
— state of being cheap
Hindi:
सस्ताई
(sastāī)
— state of being cheap
Latvian:
lētums
— state of being cheap
Russian:
дешеви́зна
(deševízna)
— state of being cheap
Spanish:
baratura
— state of being cheap
Turkish:
ucuzluk
— state of being cheap
Ottoman Turkish:
اوجوزلق
(ucuzluk)
— state of being cheap