Stinginess: meaning, definitions and examples

Often used to describe someone who is unwilling to spend money or share resources, this term carries a slightly negative connotation. It implies a small-scale reluctance to part with money.

• Her stinginess was evident during the holiday season when she bought the cheapest gifts

This term is usually connected with an excessive desire for more than one needs, particularly in terms of wealth, food, or other resources. It has a strong negative connotation.

• His greediness caused tension in the family, especially when he refused to share the inheritance

More intense than stinginess, miserliness describes someone excessively reluctant to spend money. It often suggests pathological behavior. It carries a strong negative connotation.

• Despite his vast wealth, his miserliness kept him living in a dilapidated house to save on expenses

Commonly used in informal contexts, tightfistedness refers to someone highly unwilling to spend money. It has a somewhat humorous or light-hearted connotation, though still negative.

• His tightfistedness became a joke among his friends who teased him for never offering to buy a round of drinks

Stinginess refers to a reluctance to spend or give, typically when one has the means to be more generous. It often carries a negative connotation.

• Mary's stinginess became apparent when she refused to contribute even a small amount to the charity fundraiser

Parsimoniousness suggests extreme frugality or economy in the use of resources, often to the point of stinginess. Like miserliness, it also has a negative connotation.

• The company's parsimoniousness was clear when they cut the employees' travel budget, forcing them to share tiny hotel rooms

Miserliness describes an extreme unwillingness to part with money, more intense than stinginess. This term often evokes images of hoarding wealth and avoiding any kind of spending.

• Mr
• Scrooge's miserliness was so severe that he wouldn't even heat his own home in winter

Cheapness can refer to both the low cost of something and also someone's unwillingness to spend money. When referring to individuals, it usually has a negative connotation.

• John's cheapness was evident when he bought gifts from the bargain bin for his friend's wedding