What is stingy? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of stingy

stingyadjective

ích kỷ, keo kiệt

/ˈstɪn(d)ʒi/

Definition & pronunciation of <b>stingy</b>

Where does the word stingy come from?

The word "stingy" has its roots in the 13th century, derived from the Old English word "stingan", which means "to squeeze" or "to pinch". This sense of tight-fistedness or meanness was later reinforced by the Middle English word "stinge", which referred to a squeezing or pinching gesture. Over time, the term "stingy" evolved to describe someone who is frugal or miserly, often to the point of being unwilling to part with their possessions or money. This negative connotation likely arose from the idea that such an individual is "pinching" or "squeezing" others by being unwilling to share or give generously. Today, the word "stingy" is often used to describe someone who is perceived as miserly, greedy, or unwilling to part with their resources.

Vocabulary summary stingy

typeadjective

meaningstingy

meaningstinging; stinging

Example of vocabulary stingynamespace

  • John is a ridiculously stingy person; he hardly ever spends money on anything, even basic necessities.
  • The hotel charged us a fortune for a few extra towels, and the room service prices were so exorbitant that we couldn't bring ourselves to order anything, making us feel rather stingy about our dining options.
  • Despite making a decent income, Sarah is incredibly stingy when it comes to her finances, never going out to eat or buying anything for herself that isn't absolutely necessary.
  • Tom's penny-pinching habits have made him notorious among his friends and family, who find his stinginess irritating and hard to reconcile with his successful career.
  • The lucky few who won the lottery were initially thrilled, but soon found themselves feeling uncomfortable and stingy about their newfound wealth, unprepared for the attention and demands it brought.

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