Miserly — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈmī-zər-lē/ mi·ser·ly

Meaning & Definition of Miserly

Miserly (adjective)

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a miser; especially, marked by grasping meanness and penuriousness

Miserly (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. giving or sharing as little as possible

    "my brother, who is notoriously miserly, surprised us when he offered to pick up the tab"

    similar: cheap, chintzy, close, closefisted, mean, mingy, parsimonious, penny-pinching, penurious, pinching, pinchpenny, spare, sparing, stingy, stinting, tight, tightfisted, uncharitable, ungenerous
    related: careful, chary, conserving, economical, economizing, frugal, saving, scrimping, skimping, thrifty, acquisitive, avaricious, avid, coveting, covetous, desirous, grasping, greedy, hoggish, itchy, mercenary, rapacious, selfish, shabby, small, sordid, begrudging, envious, grudging, resentful, inhospitable
    opposite: bounteous, bountiful, charitable, freehanded, generous, liberal, munificent, openhanded, unsparing, unstinting
    near: altruistic, selfless, unselfish, extravagant, free, handsome, lavish, overgenerous, profuse, beneficent, benevolent, hospitable, humanitarian, philanthropic, compassionate, good-hearted, greathearted, kindly, magnanimous, openhearted, thriftless, unthrifty, dissipating, frittering, prodigal, profligate, spendthrift, splurging, squandering, wasteful, wasting

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Miserly

The most common words with a similar meaning to Miserly:

cheap, chintzy, close, closefisted, mean, mingy, parsimonious, penny-pinching, penurious, pinching, pinchpenny, spare, sparing, stingy, stinting, tight, tightfisted, uncharitable, ungenerous

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Miserly

Words with the opposite meaning of Miserly:

bounteous, bountiful, charitable, freehanded, generous, liberal, munificent, openhanded, unsparing, unstinting

Related Words for Miserly

careful, chary, conserving, economical, economizing, frugal, saving, scrimping, skimping, thrifty, acquisitive, avaricious, avid, coveting, covetous, desirous, grasping, greedy, hoggish, itchy, mercenary, rapacious, selfish, shabby, small, sordid, begrudging, envious, grudging, resentful

Near Antonyms of Miserly

altruistic, selfless, unselfish, extravagant, free, handsome, lavish, overgenerous, profuse, beneficent, benevolent, hospitable, humanitarian, philanthropic, compassionate, good-hearted, greathearted, kindly, magnanimous, openhearted, thriftless, unthrifty, dissipating, frittering, prodigal, profligate, spendthrift, splurging, squandering, wasteful

Word Forms of Miserly

Derived words: miserliness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Miserly

First known use: 1593

Frequently Asked Questions about Miserly

What does "Miserly" mean?

"Miserly" means of, relating to, or characteristic of a miser; especially, marked by grasping meanness and penuriousness. As an adjective, it is defined as: of, relating to, or characteristic of a miser; especially, marked by grasping meanness and penuriousness.

What is another word for "Miserly"?

Other words for "Miserly" include cheap, chintzy, close, closefisted, mean, mingy, parsimonious and penny-pinching. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Miserly" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Miserly"?

There are 50 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Miserly". Common alternatives include cheap, chintzy, close, closefisted, mean, mingy, parsimonious, penny-pinching, penurious and pinching.

What is the opposite of "Miserly"?

Antonyms of "Miserly" include bounteous, bountiful, charitable, freehanded, generous, liberal, munificent and openhanded. Near antonyms include altruistic, selfless, unselfish and extravagant.

How do you use "Miserly" in a sentence?

Examples of "Miserly" in a sentence: "my brother, who is notoriously miserly, surprised us when he offered to pick up the tab".

Is "Miserly" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Miserly" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Miserly"?

"Miserly" is pronounced /ˈmī-zər-lē/ and divided into syllables as mi·ser·ly.

What is the origin of the word "Miserly"?

First known use: 1593.