What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
miserly
Example
My grandfather is so miserly that he refuses to turn on the heat in the winter. [miserly: adjective]
Example
She was accused of being miserly with her time, never volunteering to help others. [miserly: adverb]
stingy
Example
He's so stingy that he won't even buy his own friends a drink. [stingy: adjective]
Example
Don't be stingy with the toppings, put as much as you want on your pizza. [stingy: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stingy is more commonly used than miserly in everyday language. Stingy is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while miserly is less common and refers to a specific type of behavior.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between miserly and stingy?
Both miserly and stingy are considered informal and casual words, but miserly may be perceived as slightly more formal due to its association with excessive frugality.
