Miserly: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe someone who is extremely unwilling to spend money, often to a fault, and has a negative connotation.

• He lived a miserly existence, refusing to spend money on even basic comforts

Describes someone who is reluctant to give or spend, typically with a negative connotation.

• She is too stingy to donate even a small amount to charity

Describes someone who is unwilling to spend money, but can also refer to something that is low in price. It can have a negative connotation when describing a person.

• He is so cheap, he always finds excuses to avoid paying his share of the bill

Describes someone who is unwilling to spend money, with a negative connotation implying they are excessively frugal.

• His tightfisted habits made him unpopular among his friends

Used to describe someone who is extremely reluctant to spend money. It often implies that the person is mean or ungenerous.

• Despite his wealth, he lived a miserly life, denying himself even the smallest luxuries.
• She was too miserly to buy a proper gift for her friend.

Used to describe someone who has an excessive desire for more, whether it's money, power, or food. This word often has a negative connotation.

• His greedy nature made him unpopular among his colleagues.
• The greedy business owner exploited his workers to maximize profits.

Used to describe someone who prioritizes their own needs and desires above those of others, often at the expense of others. This word typically carries a strong negative connotation.

• His selfish behavior alienated him from his family.
• Only a selfish person would refuse to help a friend in need.

Used to describe someone who is extremely careful with money, often to an unreasonable degree. It usually suggests frugality taken to an extreme.

• Her penny-pinching ways led her to cut down on essential expenses.
• The company adopted a penny-pinching approach, affecting the quality of its products.