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Definition of stingy

stingy

/ˈstɪn.dʒi/
stin · gy
Adverb:stingily
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stingy Lexical Profile

stingy Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Unwilling to give or spend money or resources; ungenerous and miserly.

Example

"The landlord was too stingy to replace the broken heating system before winter arrived."

2

Scanty, meager, or inadequate in amount or size.

Example

"The restaurant served a surprisingly stingy portion of soup for the price."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for stingy
Antonyms
View all antonyms for stingy

Word Nuance & Usage

The primary sense meaning 'miserly' is pronounced with a soft 'g' (/ˈstɪndʒi/), whereas the rarer literal sense meaning 'able to sting' is pronounced with a hard 'g' (/ˈstɪŋi/) and is a homograph.

• Rhymes for stingy

• Nearby Words

stingingly
stingless
stingray
stingy
stink
stinkbomb
stinkbug

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the mid-17th century, likely derived from the English dialectal noun and verb 'stinge' (meaning a sharp pain or to begrudge), ultimately related to Old English 'stingan' (to pierce or prick).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Stingy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/stingy
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