miserly
/ˈmaɪ.zə(ɹ).li/
Group 17Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Of or characteristic of a miser; stingy GRE
Example in Context
The university's miserly allocation for library acquisitions forced the staff to cancel subscriptions to dozens of essential academic journals.
Synonyms
cheapstingytight
Etymology
Characterized by extreme stinginess and reluctance to spend.
- miser (Latin) — unhappy
Memory Aid
👨💼Sounds like “my sir”
A man named 'MY SIR' refusing to share his umbrella, even in a flood!
Visual Association
💰A man counting coins obsessively while standing in a downpour, refusing to spend a single penny!
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “miserly” mean on the GRE?
miserly (adjective) means “Of or characteristic of a miser; stingy”. The university's miserly allocation for library acquisitions forced the staff to cancel subscriptions to dozens of essential academic journals.
How to remember “miserly” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “miserly” sounds like “my sir”. A man named 'MY SIR' refusing to share his umbrella, even in a flood!
What are synonyms for “miserly”?
Common synonyms: cheap, stingy, tight.