Stingiest: meaning, definitions and examples

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stingiest

 

[ˈstɪn.dʒi.əst ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

describing behavior

Stingiest refers to someone who is unwilling to spend or share money; extremely tightfisted. A stingy person typically avoids giving or donating, even when they have the means to do so.

Synonyms

cheap, miserly, parsimonious, tightfisted.

Examples of usage

  • He was known as the stingiest man in town.
  • Don't be stingy; share your toys with others.
  • She was too stingy to offer even a small tip.
  • They were stingy with their compliments.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the verb 'sting,' meaning to hurt, which evolved to describe someone who causes pain by being unkind with money.
  • The suffix '-iest' is a superlative, making 'stingy' into its most extreme form, indicating the highest degree of unwillingness to share.

Cultural Insights

  • In various cultures, being stingy is often viewed negatively, equated with selfishness or lack of kindness.
  • Many stories and fables, like Aesop's fables, feature characters that are stingy, teaching lessons about generosity and sharing.

Psychological Aspects

  • Research suggests that stinginess can be linked to deeper issues, such as anxiety around money or past experiences of scarcity.
  • Stingy individuals may often feel guilt or shame about their finances, leading to a reluctance to share with others.

Pop Culture

  • Characters like Ebenezer Scrooge from 'A Christmas Carol' are iconic representations of stinginess, showing the transformation possible through generosity.
  • The term often pops up in songs and memes, highlighting how stinginess is perceived humorously or negatively in various media.

Literature

  • Literary works frequently explore the theme of stinginess, demonstrating how it affects relationships and personal growth.
  • Authors often create stingy characters to criticize social norms around wealth and generosity.

Translations

Translations of the word "stingiest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mais mesquinho

🇮🇳 सबसे कंजूस

🇩🇪 der geizigste

🇮🇩 paling pelit

🇺🇦 найскупіший

🇵🇱 najskąpszy

🇯🇵 最もケチな

🇫🇷 le plus avare

🇪🇸 el más tacaño

🇹🇷 en cimri

🇰🇷 가장 인색한

🇸🇦 الأكثر بخلاً

🇨🇿 nejškoupější

🇸🇰 najskúpejší

🇨🇳 最吝啬的

🇸🇮 najskoparnejši

🇮🇸 mest fúll

🇰🇿 ең сараң

🇬🇪 ყველაზე ნაკლებად გაწვდილი

🇦🇿 ən qənaətcıl

🇲🇽 el más tacaño

Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,453, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.