What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pickpenny
Example
He's such a pickpenny, he never wants to pay for anything. [pickpenny: noun]
Example
I bought this shirt for only $5, but it's so poorly made, it's a real pickpenny. [pickpenny: adjective]
pickpocket
Example
The police caught the pickpocket who had been stealing wallets on the train. [pickpocket: noun]
Example
She realized her phone was missing after being pickpocketed on the crowded street. [pickpocketed: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pickpocket is more commonly used than pickpenny in everyday language. Pickpenny is a less common word and may not be familiar to many English learners.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pickpenny and pickpocket?
Both pickpenny and pickpocket are informal words, but pickpocket is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing crime or theft.
