ungenerous

American  

[uhn-jen-er-uhs] / ʌnˈdʒɛn ər əs /

adjective

1. stingy; miserly.

   an ungenerous portion; an ungenerous employer.

2. uncharitable; petty.

   an ungenerous critic; an ungenerous impulse.

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ungenerous British  

/ -ˈdʒɛnrəs, ʌnˈdʒɛnərəs /

adjective

1. not willing and liberal in giving away one's money, time, etc

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Other Word Forms

• ungenerosity noun
• ungenerously adverb

Etymology

Origin of ungenerous

First recorded in 1635–45; un- ¹ + generous

Example Sentences

Withering caricatures began to seem inadequate—too easy, too ungenerous.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

At its worst, it’s been an ungenerous waste of energy.

From Slate • May 7, 2023

“People are afraid they’re going to sound cheap or ungenerous when talking about splitting the bill, but talking about money can be a normal thing,” Ms. Meier wrote.

From Washington Times • Dec. 15, 2022

Maybe that’s an ungenerous way to respond to a study on an important social issue by a respected, nonpartisan think tank.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 3, 2022

On that head, therefore, I shall be uniformly silent; and you may assure yourself that no ungenerous reproach shall ever pass my lips when we are married.”

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen