What does ungenerous mean?
Ungenerous is an adjective describing a person, action, or condition that lacks generosity. Its most common meaning is unwilling to share money, time, help, or other resources: a person can be called ungenerous for refusing to contribute to a cause or for offering too little assistance. It can also refer to something meagre or inadequate, such as an ungenerous portion, arrangement, or treatment. The word commonly conveys criticism rather than simple neutrality. It may suggest deliberate withholding, selfishness, or an unkind or narrow-minded attitude, depending on context. Because it is related to generosity, it is especially useful when describing conduct that falls short of what might reasonably be expected from a person in a position of responsibility or good fortune.
adjectiveUngenerous means unwilling to give money, time, or help freely, or characterized by a lack of generosity. It can also describe something that is meagre or insufficient in amount or quality.
- Unwilling to give money, time, help, or other resources freely; stingy or miserly.
- Not generous in amount, extent, or quality; meagre or insufficient.
"The committee rejected the proposal as ungenerous toward families who needed the most support."
"It was ungenerous to refuse a helping hand when the task would have taken only a few minutes."
"The room received an ungenerous portion of sunlight throughout the winter."
One small prefix can turn a compliment into a criticism: un- plus generous describes a spirit that hoards rather than shares.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ungenerous come from?
Ungenerous was formed in English by combining the prefix un- with generous. It appears in late 16th- and early 17th-century usage. Generous itself came through Middle English from French and ultimately from Latin generosus, a word associated with nobility, abundance, and liberal giving; related English forms include generosity and generously.
Related word forms
How ungenerous is actually used
The word is formal to neutral in register. It often suggests deliberate stinginess or a lack of magnanimity, and may sound more pointed than the milder phrase "not generous."