miser

/'maizə/

Thân thiện

The old miser counts his coins in the dimly lit room.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A stingy hoarder of money and possessions (often living miserably): A person who lives in poor conditions to avoid spending money, accumulating wealth but refusing to use it even for basic comforts or necessities.

Usage

• The word "miser" is used to describe a person whose primary characteristic is extreme reluctance to spend money. It implies a level of stinginess that negatively impacts their own quality of life and often their relationships with others. It is a noun and typically carries a negative connotation.

Examples

• Noun:
  • In the story, the old miser counted his gold coins every night but refused to buy firewood to heat his cold house.
  • She was labeled a miser by her friends because she never contributed to group gifts or meals.

Advanced Usage

• "Miserly" (Adjective): Exhibiting the characteristics of a miser; extremely stingy.
  • His miserly habits prevented him from enjoying the wealth he had accumulated.
• Conceptual Use: The term can be used metaphorically to describe an extreme reluctance to part with non-monetary things, such as time or affection.
  • He was a miser with his praise, rarely complimenting anyone on their work.

Variants and Related Words

• Miserliness (n): The quality of being a miser; extreme stinginess.
• Penny-pincher (n, informal): A person who is extremely careful with money; a synonym that is less severe than "miser."
• Skinflint (n, informal): A person who is unwilling to spend money; a mean person.

Synonyms

• Scrooge: (From Charles Dickens' character) A person who is miserly and hates spending money, especially around Christmas.
• Cheapskate: (Informal) A person who is unwilling to spend money.
• Tightwad: (Informal) A person who is very reluctant to spend money.

Idioms and Phrases

• "As rich as a miser": Used to describe someone who has accumulated great wealth but lives as if they are poor.
  • He died as rich as a miser, leaving behind a fortune no one knew he had.
• "Miser's heart": Symbolizes extreme greed and lack of generosity.
  • The landlord was said to have a miser's heart, evicting tenants over the smallest unpaid fees.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a stingy hoarder of money and possessions (often living miserably)