What does ungenerously mean?
Ungenerously is an adverb meaning “in a stingy or miserly manner” or “in an unkind or unfair way.” It can describe someone’s attitude toward money, such as a business that ungenerously withholds support, or a person’s conduct toward others, such as a critic who ungenerously dismisses another’s work. The word is somewhat formal and generally carries a negative or disapproving connotation. Its meaning is closely related to “generously,” but it may suggest either deliberate meanness or a conspicuously inadequate share of resources. Because ungenerously can refer both to financial restraint and to unkind treatment, it is useful when discussing patterns of behavior in social, economic, or public contexts.
adverbIn a stingy or miserly manner; in a mean, unkind, or unfair way.
- In a stingy or miserly manner, especially regarding money or resources.
- In an unkind, mean, or unfair manner.
"The committee ungenerously distributed the available funds rather than sharing them equally among the applicants."
"The owner ungenerously refused to contribute to the repair fund."
"Several reviewers ungenerously attacked the film without acknowledging its strengths."
A single prefix can turn generosity into stinginess or unfairness, making ungenerously a useful word for describing both money and conduct.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ungenerously come from?
Ungenerously is an English formation combining the prefix “un-” with “generous” and the adverbial suffix “-ly.” “Generous” comes through French from Latin generosus, meaning noble or magnanimous and, by extension, giving or liberal. The English “un-” prefix reverses the adjective’s meaning, while “-ly” turns the resulting adjective into an adverb. The exact first-attested date is uncertain, but the form follows established English patterns for forming negative adverbs.
Related word forms
How ungenerously is actually used
The word is somewhat formal and often carries a critical or disapproving tone. It is especially common in reporting, discussion, and editorial contexts, though it can describe ordinary personal behavior.
Easily confused with ungenerously
Ungenerous is the adjective, while ungenerously is the adverb: one describes a person or thing, and the other describes an action or manner.