Miser
/ˈmaɪ.zər/
Meaning & Definition
noun
A person who hoards wealth and spends as little money as possible; a stingy person.
Despite having a comfortable income, he was a miser who refused to spend money on anything unnecessary.
Someone who is excessively frugal or tightfisted.
The miser lived in a small, bare apartment, choosing to save every penny rather than enjoy life.
A person who is unwilling to share their wealth with others.
Everyone knew her to be a miser, as she never contributed to charity despite her substantial fortune.
A person who is excessively concerned with saving money to the detriment of their well-being.
The miser would often skip meals to avoid spending money at restaurants.
Etymology
Latin miser, meaning 'wretched' or 'unfortunate'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
penny-pinching
the act of being frugal or miserly.
money hoarder
someone who accumulates money and is reluctant to spend it.
tight with a buck
being careful to avoid spending money.
Related Words
avarice
extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
stingy
unwilling to give or spend; miserly.
frugal
sparing or economical as regards money or food.
Slang Meanings
cheapskate
Don't be such a cheapskate; treat yourself once in a while.
skinflint
He's such a skinflint that he won't even buy a round of drinks.