niggardly

[ nig-erd-lee ]

adjective

1. reluctant to give or spend; stingy; miserly.

   Synonyms: close, illiberal, mercenary, avaricious, tight, mean, miserly, penurious

   Antonyms: generous

2. meanly or ungenerously small or scanty:

   a niggardly tip to a waiter.

   Synonyms: poor

adverb

1. in a stingy, miserly, or tight-fisted manner.

niggardly

/ ˈnɪɡədlɪ /

adjective

1. stingy or ungenerous
2. meagre

   a niggardly salary

adverb

1. stingily; grudgingly

Sensitive Note

See niggard.

Derived Forms

• ˈniggardliness, noun

Other Words From

• nig·gard·li·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of niggardly¹

First recorded in 1520–30; niggard + -ly

Example Sentences

Heavy in figure, movement, and comprehension,—in the sluggish complexion of his face, and in the large, awkward tongue that seemed to loll about in his mouth as he himself lolled about in a room,—he was idle, proud, niggardly, reserved, and suspicious.

From Literature

There is something niggardly and petty about the meanness, something entirely consonant with the values — if we may use that word — of an administration that argued against providing its captives toothpaste and soap.

From Seattle Times

One cheap bit, which involves Ansari repeating the word “niggardly,” feels like he is brushing up against the third rail to prove that he won’t be cowed by his public reckoning.

From The New Yorker

One does not find those values reflected in the niggardly and narcissistic soul of Donald Trump.

From Seattle Times

To tap one of the country’s two largest and most niggardly mines is hard enough.

From Economist