Main Entry: stin·gy

Pronunciation: \ˈstin-jē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): stin·gi·er; stin·gi·est

Etymology: perhaps from English dial. *stinge, noun, sting; akin to Old English stingan to sting

Date: 1659

1 : not generous or liberal : sparing or scant in using, giving, or spending <stingy with the salt> <stingy employee benefits>
2 : meanly scanty or small <stingy portions of meat>

— stin·gi·ly \-jə-lē\ adverb

— stin·gi·ness \-jē-nəs\ noun

synonyms stingy, close, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, miserly mean being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others. stingy implies a marked lack of generosity <a stingy child, not given to sharing>. close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions <folks who are very close when charity calls>. niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible <the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library>. parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess <a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries>. penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty <the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune>. miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding <a miserly couple devoid of social conscience>.