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niggard

noun
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nig·​gard | \ ˈni-gərd How to pronounce niggard (audio) \
plural niggards

Definition of niggard

 (Entry 1 of 2)

see usage paragraph below
: a meanly covetous and stingy person : miser

niggard

verb
niggarded; niggarding; niggards

Definition of niggard (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

obsolete : to act niggardly

transitive verb

obsolete : to treat in a niggardly manner
Other Words from niggard Synonyms Usage of Niggard and Niggardly Example Sentences Learn More about niggard

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Other Words from niggard

Noun

niggard adjective

Usage of Niggard and Niggardly

Noun

The words niggard and niggardly are etymologically unrelated to the highly offensive and inflammatory racial slur euphemistically referred to as the N-word, despite the words' visual and auditory resemblance to it. Because of that resemblance, however, both niggard and niggardly are sometimes taken to be offensive.

Examples of niggard in a Sentence

Noun such a niggard that he refused to hand out candy at Halloween, saying it would cost too much money

First Known Use of niggard

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

History and Etymology for niggard

Noun

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse hnøggr niggardly; akin to Old English hnēaw niggardly

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Time Traveler for niggard

Time Traveler

The first known use of niggard was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Niggard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/niggard. Accessed 10 May. 2021.

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