"Niggardly" Meaning
The adjective "niggardly" means unwilling to give or share, stingy, or mean. It describes someone who is reluctant to part with their money, resources, or time, and may be hesitant to help others. Note that this word has nothing to do with the racial slur, but rather comes from the Old English word "nig," meaning "fallow" or "barren."
"Niggardly" Examples
Niggardly
Meaning:
Meaning stingily; reluctant to give or share.
Usage Examples:
| Example | Explanation |
| -------- | ------------ |
| She was niggardly with her praise, only giving it to those who truly deserved it. | The teacher was stingy with her praise, only giving it to students who earned it. |
| The miserly landlord was niggardly with the heating, keeping the rent small apartment at a chilly temperature. | The landlord was unwilling to spend money to heat the apartment, keeping it cold. |
| After the financial crisis, the government was niggardly with its spending, cutting back on many programs. | The government was reluctant to spend money, cutting back on many programs. |
| The rich investor was niggardly with his wealth, not willing to share it with even his closest friends. | The wealthy investor was stingy with his money, refusing to share it with anyone, even his closest friends. |
| The niggardly farmer saved every penny, refusing to spend money on new equipment for his farm. | The farmer was unwilling to spend money, saving every penny and refusing to buy new equipment. |