stingy

/ˈstin-jē/

perhaps from English dialect *stinge, noun, sting; akin to Old English stingan to sting

adjective

  1. not generous or liberal : sparing or scant in using, giving, or spending

  2. meanly scanty or small

stingy with the salt

stingy close niggardly parsimonious penurious miserly mean being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others. stingy implies a marked lack of generosity. close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions.