English Explanatory Dictionary

niggard

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Sparing; stinting; parsimonious.
  2. Miserly or stingy.
noun
  1. A miser or stingy person; a skinflint.
  2. A false bottom in a grate, used for saving fuel.
verb
  1. To hoard; to act stingily.

Pronunciation

[ˈnɪɡɚd] [ˈnɪɡəd] LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-niggard.wav

Word forms

niggard more niggard most niggard niggards niggarding niggarded

Etymology

From Middle English nigard, nygard (“miser”), from nig (“niggardly person”), possibly of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Icelandic hnøggr (“miserly, stingy”), Old Norse *hniggw, with descendants Swedish njugg (“stingy”), dialectal Swedish niggla (“be stingy”), dialectal Norwegian nigla. Ultimately from Proto-Germanic *hnauwjaz, source of Old English hneaw (“stingy”), replaced by Middle English nig. Possibly cognate to niggle (“miser”). Compare German Knicker (“niggard”), knickerig (“niggardly”). Unrelated to the word nigger, but see the usage notes.

Synonyms

carl cheapass cheapie cheapskate cheapo churl clutchfist el cheapo last of the big spenders magpie miser moneygrubber muckworm nickel nurser nig niggard nigon nipcheese nipfarthing penny-father penny pincher pickpenny piker pinch-commons pinch-gut pincher pinchfist pinchpenny scrimp scrooge snudge squirrel skinflint tight-arse tightwad amass amound engross get up hoard intreasure packrat rathole squirrel away uphoard

Related words

nig niggish niggle nigon

Derived words

niggardise niggardish niggardliness niggardly niggardness niggardous niggardry niggardship niggardy unniggard unniggardly
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