miserly

American

[mahy-zer-lee] / ˈmaɪ zər li /

adjective

of, like, or befitting a miser; penurious; stingy.

Synonyms:

parsimonious , cheap

Antonyms:

generous

miserly British

/ ˈmaɪzəlɪ /

adjective

of or resembling a miser; avaricious

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See stingy ¹.

Other Word Forms

miserliness noun
unmiserly adjective

Etymology

Origin of miserly

First recorded in 1585–95; miser + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Blues stormed to the league title in Mourinho's first season in charge - in no small part thanks to the most miserly defence in the league's history.

From BBC

First published in 1843, A Christmas Carol tells the story of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, who hates Christmas, but is transformed after a series of ghostly visits.

From BBC

They had scored a miserly 15 in their previous 20 league games this season, mustering just 66 shots on target from 226 attempts.

From BBC

But Crawley was bowled through the gate as part of a miserly opening spell from Matt Henry.

From BBC

Wood, on his return to the England side after missing the second Test, was the pick of the bowlers with 3-69, well supported by the miserly James Anderson.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023