Stingy: meaning, definitions and examples

Describes someone who is unwilling to spend money or share resources even if they have plenty. It is often used in everyday conversation.

• He is so stingy that he never buys gifts for his family
• My boss is too stingy to give us a Christmas bonus

Informal term for someone who is very unwilling to spend money. It has a slightly humorous or critical tone.

• He's so tightfisted that he won't even pay for a cup of coffee
• My uncle is tightfisted when it comes to buying new clothes

Typically describes someone who hoards wealth and spends as little money as possible, often to the point of living in hardship. The term often has a formal or literary tone.

• The old man was known for his miserly habits, rarely spending money on anything he didn't absolutely need
• His miserly ways made him unpopular among his neighbors

Refers to someone who has an intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food. It often implies a moral judgment and negative connotation.

• The greedy businessman never cared about his employees
• She was too greedy to share the cake with anyone

To describe someone who is unwilling to spend money or share resources, often in everyday situations or casual conversations. It carries a negative connotation.

• He’s so stingy that he won’t even buy a drink for his friends
• She is known for being stingy with her time and money

To describe someone who acts in their own self-interest without regard for others. This can be used in both casual and formal contexts and has a negative connotation.

• He was too selfish to help his brother with his homework
• Her selfish behavior alienated her from her friends

To describe someone who lacks generosity or kindness towards others, often in moral or ethical discussions. It implies a negative moral judgment.

• Her uncharitable remarks hurt many people
• He was often uncharitable in his thoughts about others

To describe someone who is extremely frugal or economical, often in a formal or literary context. It suggests an excessive degree of frugality.

• The wealthy businessman was surprisingly parsimonious, refusing to spend on even the most basic comforts
• Her parsimonious habits were well known among her colleagues