What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stingy
Example
He's so stingy, he won't even buy a round of drinks. [stingy: adjective]
Example
She was stingy with her time and never helped anyone else. [stingy: adverb]
miserly
Example
He was so miserly that he refused to turn on the heat in the winter. [miserly: adjective]
Example
She lived a miserly existence, never spending money on anything unnecessary. [miserly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stingy is more commonly used than miserly in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stingy and miserly?
Both stingy and miserly are informal terms, but miserly may be considered more formal due to its less frequent usage.
