miser

[ mahy-zer ]

noun

1. a person who lives in wretched circumstances in order to save and hoard money.
2. a stingy, avaricious person.

   Synonyms: pinchpenny, tightwad, skinflint

3. Obsolete. a wretched or unhappy person.

miser

¹

/ ˈmaɪzə /

noun

1. a person who hoards money or possessions, often living miserably
2. selfish person

miser

²

/ ˈmaɪzə /

noun

1. civil engineering a large hand-operated auger used for loose soils

Word History and Origins

Origin of miser¹

1535–45; < Latin: wretched

Word History and Origins

Origin of miser¹

C16: from Latin: wretched

Origin of miser²

C19: origin unknown

Example Sentences

Dressed in ragged clothes, the Gloucester miser also chose to shun public transport to save his precious pennies.

From BBC

A new four-episode podcast aims to show how Ebenezer Scrooge became the miserable miser of the Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol,” focusing on themes of redemption, mercy, grace and compassion.

From Washington Times

Join Tiny Tim, the Christmas Ghosts and everyone’s favorite miser in the stage adaption of Charles Dickens’ classic Yuletide tale, proudly returning to ACT Theatre for its 47th year.

From Seattle Times

His dad, a “mouse-like miser of a man,” makes only short visits.

From Seattle Times

The Tibetan word for them, "miser", has been translated as both "serfs" and "subjects".

From BBC