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miserly

adjective

/ˈmʌɪzəli/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of miserly

Very reluctant to spend money or resources, often to the point of being considered stingy or greedy.
"The miserly boss refused to give the employees a raise, citing budget constraints."

Detailed meaning of miserly

Miserly refers to a person who is A miserly person is someone who is overly frugal and is unwilling to part with their money or possessions. They may hoard money or resources, and may be reluctant to share or even use them. They may also be very unwilling to pay for things or to give money to others. This behavior may stem from a fear of poverty, an obsession with money, or a belief that they must always have a large amount of money at their disposal. Miserly behavior can be seen as negative, as it can be detrimental to one's personal relationships, as well as one's own well-being and financial stability.

Example sentences containing miserly

1. His miserly behavior at the restaurant embarrassed his friends, who had to cover the bill.
2. He was known for his miserly behavior, rarely spending money on anything.
3. She had a reputation for being miserly, always looking for ways to save every penny.
4. The miserly old man refused to share his wealth with others.
5. They lived a miserly lifestyle, avoiding any unnecessary expenses.
6. His miserly habits extended to even the smallest purchases.

History and etymology of miserly

The adjective 'miserly' has its etymological origins in the Latin word 'miser,' which means 'wretched' or 'miserable.' Over time, 'miser' also came to be associated with a person who is extremely stingy or reluctant to part with their wealth. This sense of miserliness is reflected in the adjective 'miserly,' which describes someone who is very reluctant to spend money or resources, often to the point of being considered stingy or greedy. The connection between being miserly and feeling wretched or miserable likely arises from the notion that a person who hoards their resources excessively may experience a sense of deprivation or unhappiness. The etymology of 'miserly' thus links the concepts of reluctance to spend and a sense of wretchedness or misery found in the Latin root 'miser.'

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Further usage examples of miserly

1. The miserly landlord refused to fix the broken heater in the tenants' apartment.
2. Despite his wealth, he maintained a miserly mindset and lived frugally.
3. The miserly boss refused to give the employees a raise, citing budget constraints.
4. Their miserly ways prevented them from enjoying the finer things in life.
5. The miserly character in the story hoarded all their possessions and rarely showed generosity.
6. People avoided doing business with him due to his miserly reputation.
7. The miserly customer haggled relentlessly to save a few dollars.
8. They had a miserly attitude towards charity, rarely donating to worthy causes.
9. The miserly shopkeeper was known for charging exorbitant prices.
10. His miserly nature caused strain in his personal relationships.
11. They lived in a small, miserly apartment with minimal furnishings.
12. The miserly old woman refused to turn on the heating despite the cold weather.
13. The miserly attitude towards employees led to high turnover in the company.
14. Their miserly ways prevented them from enjoying experiences and traveling.
15. The miserly character in the play was portrayed as cold-hearted and selfish.