miser

noun

mi·​ser ˈmī-zər 

: a mean grasping person

a miser cackling over unexpected treasure

—R. T. Peterson

especially : one who is extremely stingy with money

a miser who inherited a fortune but lives in a shanty

Synonyms

• cheapskate
• churl
• hunks
• niggard
• penny-pincher
• piker
• scrooge
• skinflint
• tightwad

Examples of miser in a Sentence

the miser liked to sit and play with his money

Recent Examples on the Web

For a more tuneful version of the Dickens tale, there’s this 1970 musical starring Albert Finney as the eponymous miser. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024

The Bay Area’s relationship with the infamous miser Scrooge is undergoing some shifts. —David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2024

Rather than just a simple miser, this movie portrays Scrooge as more of a ruthless businessman who believes he’s justified in his actions, making the character more relatable and redemptive. —Janey Tracey, EW.com, 29 Nov. 2024

So why is she remembered only as the world’s greatest miser? —Bywill Daniel, Fortune, 17 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin miser miserable

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

miser

noun

mi·​ser ˈmī-zər 

: a mean grasping person

especially : one who lives poorly in order to store away money