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.

On his 50th birthday he writes to his London publisher, insulting his appearance and mocking his miserly advance.

From The Wall Street Journal

Archer was a constant threat, bowling with high pace and miserly economy.

From BBC

Known as “The Witch of Wall Street” for her miserly ways, Green quietly bailed out New York City in the early 1900s.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

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