Stinginess is an unwillingness to share or spend money, even when you have enough to spare. A stingy person might refuse to chip in for a group gift, complain about leaving a tip at a restaurant, or hoard their Halloween candy while everyone else shares theirs.

Stinginess goes beyond being careful with money. Someone who's frugal or thrifty spends wisely and avoids waste, which makes sense. But a stingy person takes it too far, refusing to be generous even in situations where generosity matters. A stingy friend might never offer to share their lunch, never bring snacks when it's their turn, or never contribute to group activities. The classic image of stinginess is Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol, who had plenty of money but refused to help anyone, even keeping his own home freezing to save on coal.

Stinginess often costs more than whatever someone's trying to save. Stingy people tend to lose friendships, miss out on experiences, and develop a reputation that follows them. The opposite of stinginess is generosity: sharing what you have and contributing your fair share, which builds trust and strengthens relationships far more than any saved pennies ever could.