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avaro

miserly; stingy

adjective ah-VAH-roh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Personality

Origin: From Latin avarus (greedy, grasping), from avere (to desire, to crave).

Also means

miser (as noun)

Usage Note

Avaro functions both as an adjective (una persona avara = a stingy person) and as a noun (un avaro = a miser). As a noun it is the title of Molière's famous comedy, well known to Italian audiences as L'Avaro. The feminine is avara; plurals avari / avare. It implies unwillingness to spend, stronger than parsimonioso (thrifty).

Examples

"È così avaro che non regala nulla a nessuno."

Natural Translation

He is so stingy that he gives nothing to anyone.

Literal Translation

He is so stingy that not-he-gives nothing to no-one.

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