stingy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'stingy' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is unwilling to share or spend their money. For example, "My uncle is so stingy; he never wants to pay for anything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even when I taught during financial "good times", our school struggled to keep the roof together – literally – and stationery purchases were stingy.

The Guardian

But it was to Ed Miliband that they bared their sharpest teeth, asking him the toughest questions and proving stingy with their applause.

The Guardian

People shout over one another and bargain animatedly - "y'got short airms and long pockets pal!" one stall holder complains to a stingy customer.

The Guardian - Travel

It should be noted that Bachmann herself was a prodigious fundraiser, garnering over $15m for her race in 2012 – but Democrats can't even celebrate a blow to Republicans' coffers, as Bachmann was notoriously stingy with using her funds to support other GOP candidates.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unable to pay Gaza's civil service, Hamas is looking stingy.

The Economist

The world's third-largest economy has yet to grant asylum to a single Syrian.The treatment meted out to Syrians is consistent with Japan's stingy record on sheltering people fleeing conflicts of all kinds.

The Economist

On the other hand, RomneyCare depends on federal Medicaid funding to handle poor residents, and turning that funding into stingy block-grants, as Mr Romney currently proposes, might destroy the system.

The Economist

Perhaps Messrs Corker and Hoeven were too stingy.

The Economist

Once notoriously stingy, websites are now putting cartoonists on their payroll.

The Economist

In such cases, a stingy but predictable regime might be preferable to a lucrative one that suffers from frequent or dramatic revisions.

The Economist

Just how stingy it is emerges from a report this week from the OECD: the promise made to today's young workers is the least generous in the developed world.Monika Queisser and Edward Whitehouse, the report's authors, estimate what those who are young today will get from the state and compulsory private-pension schemes when they hang up their boots in 2050 or thereabouts.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "stingy" with specific examples to strengthen your critique. For example, "The company's stingy benefits package led to high employee turnover."

Common error

Avoid using "stingy" in very formal or academic writing, as it can sometimes be perceived as too informal or judgmental. Opt for more neutral terms like "frugal" or "economical" depending on the intended tone.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "stingy" primarily functions to describe a noun, typically a person, group, or entity, that exhibits an unwillingness to spend or share resources. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in expressing a critical view of someone's lack of generosity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "stingy" is a common and grammatically correct adjective used to describe an unwillingness to spend or share resources. Ludwig AI indicates that it is suitable for use in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While related to terms like "miserly" and "ungenerous", it carries a nuanced implication of disapproval. Writers should be mindful of the context, avoiding overuse in highly formal settings where alternative terms might be more appropriate. Use "stingy" to critique behavior about an observed or reported lack of genorosity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

miserly

Focuses on extreme saving and reluctance to spend, often to an excessive degree.

ungenerous

Emphasizes a lack of generosity in sharing or giving.

parsimonious

Highlights extreme frugality and unwillingness to spend money.

frugal to a fault

Indicates that someone is typically frugal, but has taken frugality to an extreme.

penny-pinching

Suggests being extremely careful with money, focusing on saving even small amounts.

close-fisted

Implies a tight grip on money, unwilling to let it go.

tight-fisted

Similar to "close-fisted", suggesting a reluctance to spend money.

cheap

A more general term for someone who avoids spending money.

mean

Highlights a lack of generosity and a selfish attitude towards money.

avaricious

Describes an excessive greed for wealth or material gain.

FAQs

How to use "stingy" in a sentence?

"Stingy" is commonly used as an adjective to describe someone unwilling to spend money or share resources. For example, "He's known for being "stingy" with his money."

What can I say instead of "stingy"?

You can use alternatives like "ungenerous", "miserly", or "parsimonious" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "stingy" or "frugal"?

Both words are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Stingy" implies an excessive unwillingness to spend or share, while "frugal" suggests being economical and avoiding waste. Choose the word that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "stingy" and "cheap"?

"Cheap" generally refers to low cost or quality, whereas "stingy" refers to a person's unwillingness to spend money, regardless of the cost. Someone who is "cheap" might buy the least expensive item, while someone who is "stingy" might not buy anything at all.