close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions.
folks who are very close when charity calls
niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible.
the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library
parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess.
a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries
penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty.
the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune
miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding.
a miserly couple devoid of social conscience
Example Sentences
Verb We had better close the windows; it looks like it's going to rain. I forgot to close the gate. She was having trouble closing the drawer. Close the lid on the box tightly. The door opened and closed so quietly that I didn't notice he had come in the room. The box's lid closed with a bang. Remember to close the box of cereal when you're done. Please close your books and put them under your desks. Close your eyes and go to sleep. I closed my fists and got ready to fight. Adjective We're not there yet, but we're getting close. We stood close together to stay warm. Christmas is getting closer and will soon be here. Their daughters are close in age. close in size and shapeAdverb Don't drive so close to the car in front of you. He told me to stay close as we walked through the crowd. The time for a decision is drawing closer. My teammate came in third, and I finished close behind. They sat close together at the dinner table. See More
Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun (1)
Middle English, from Anglo-French clos-, stem of clore, from Latin claudere to shut, close; perhaps akin to Greek kleiein to close — more at clavicle
Adjective
Middle English clos, from Anglo-French, from Latin clausus, past participle of claudere — see closeentry 1
Noun (2)
Middle English clos, literally, enclosure, from Anglo-French clos, from Latin clausum, from neuter of clausus, past participle