stingy

To be stingy means being unwilling to spend money or share what you have. It describes a person who is too tight with money, gifts, help, or other resources. It goes beyond simply being careful with your finances. A stingy person is not just saving wisely; they are holding back more than most people think is fair or kind.

The word is strongly negative. If someone calls a person stingy, they usually mean that the person has enough to give or spend but still refuses. That is why the word often suggests selfishness, meanness, or a lack of warmth, not just careful budgeting.

You might say someone is "stingy with their praise," meaning they rarely offer compliments, or that a company is "stingy with raises," meaning it is not willing to increase employee salaries. It's not only about money. A person can be stingy with their time, their attention, their food, or even their kindness.

While being frugal is often seen as a good trait, stinginess takes that idea too far. A frugal person tries to avoid waste. A stingy person avoids giving, sharing, or spending even when it would be reasonable to do so. So if someone holds on to every coin, every favor, and every kind word, people may see them as stingy rather than wise.