English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

miser

MEYE-zuh

Miser (noun) means someone who hoards money and hates spending it, even when they can easily afford to. Example: “The old miser refused to turn on the heating even in winter.”

noun
1
Someone who hoards money and hates spending it, even when they can easily afford to.
"The old miser refused to turn on the heating even in winter."

How to use miser

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA stingy person who won't part with their money.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
an old miser act like a miser

Word forms

misers plural, Misers plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “miser” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The old _____ refused to turn on the heating even in winter.

Etymology

From Latin miser, "wretched, unhappy" — the sense shifted over time from "a wretched person" to "a person made wretched by greed."

Origin: Latin

carl cheapass cheapie cheapskate cheapo churl clutchfist last of the big spenders el cheapo magpie moneygrubber muckworm

Antonyms

Related words

Rhymes for miser

See all rhymes for miser →

Frequently asked questions

What does “miser” mean?

The word “miser” means someone who hoards money and hates spending it, even when they can easily afford to. In plain terms, a stingy person who won't part with their money.

How do you pronounce “miser”?

“Miser” is pronounced MEYE-zuh (/ˈmaɪzə(ɹ)/ in IPA).

How do you use “miser” in a sentence?

Here is “miser” used in a sentence: “The old miser refused to turn on the heating even in winter.”

What is another word for “miser”?

Words with a similar meaning to “miser” include carl, cheapass, cheapie, cheapskate, cheapo and churl.

What is the opposite of “miser”?

The opposite of “miser” — its antonyms — is spendthrift.

What part of speech is “miser”?

“Miser” is a noun.

Where does the word “miser” come from?

The word “miser” comes from Latin. From Latin miser, "wretched, unhappy" — the sense shifted over time from "a wretched person" to "a person made wretched by greed.".

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial