What does stingily mean?
Stingily is an adverb meaning in a stingy or miserly manner, especially with unwillingness to give money, time, food, or other resources. It can also describe the provision of something in small or inadequate amounts, as in “he shared his lunch stingily.” The word is commonly used in British and American English and generally carries a negative or disapproving tone, distinguishing reluctant or miserly conduct from ordinary careful spending. For example, “sparingly” can sometimes suggest moderation or prudence, whereas “stingily” more strongly implies unwillingness to part with what one has. Because it is the adverbial counterpart of the adjective stingy, stingily naturally occurs in phrases such as “give stingily” and “spend stingily.” The word is useful when the focus is not merely on a small quantity but on the reluctance or mean spirit behind that quantity.
adverbIn a stingy manner, especially with unwillingness to give money, time, or other resources. It can also mean in small, inadequate, or miserly amounts.
- In a stingy or miserly manner, especially with unwillingness to give or spend.
"He gave stingily to charity, contributing only a small portion of his income."
"The foundation distributed its funds stingily, even though demand for its services was increasing."
"She replied stingily when the waiter asked whether she wanted another course."
‘Stingily’ carries its sting: it describes not merely careful spending, but a reluctance to part with what one has.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stingily come from?
Stingily is an English adverb formed from stingy with the adverbial suffix -ly. Stingy developed in the early modern period from sting, an English word related to the notion of piercing or pricking, and was initially associated with a sharp or stinging quality before acquiring its modern sense of miserliness. Its historical relatives include stinginess, and the word shares the same root with forms such as stinging and sting.
Related word forms
How stingily is actually used
Usually carries a negative or disapproving connotation. It is common in formal and informal English and often suggests miserliness rather than prudent restraint.
Easily confused with stingily
Stingily is the adverb describing how an action is performed, while stingy is the adjective describing a person, thing, or amount.