[stin.gy] adj stin.gi.er ; -est [perh. fr. (assumed) E dial. stinge, n., sting; akin to OE stingan to sting] (1659) 1: not generous or liberal: sparing or scant in giving or spending
2: meanly scanty or small -- stin.gi.ly adv -- stin.gi.ness n syn stingy, close, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, miserly mean being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others. stingy implies a marked lack of generosity "a stingy child, not given to sharing". close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions "folks who are very close when charity calls". niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible "the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library". parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess "a parsimonious life-style notably lacking in luxuries". penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty "the penuriou s eccentric bequeathed a fortune". miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding "a miserly couple devoid of social conscience".