parsimonious

American  

[pahr-suh-moh-nee-uhs] / ˌpɑr səˈmoʊ ni əs /

adjective

1. characterized by or showing parsimony; frugal or stingy.

   Synonyms:

   covetous, avaricious, penurious, mean, illiberal, miserly, close, tight

   Antonyms:

   generous

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Related Words

See stingy ¹.

Other Word Forms

• parsimoniously
  adverb
• parsimoniousness
  noun
• unparsimonious
  adjective
• unparsimoniously
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of parsimonious

First recorded in 1590–1600; parsimon(y) + -ious

Explanation

A parsimonious person is unwilling to spend a lot of money. You know those people who count up every penny when it's time to split a restaurant bill? You can call them parsimonious. Or cheap. Stingy is the most common and general synonym of parsimonious, but there are many other near synonyms, including thrifty, frugal, penurious, niggardly, penny-pinching, miserly, tight-fisted, tight. The adjective parsimonious was formed in English from the noun parsimony, "the quality of being careful in spending." It is a combination of the Latin verb parcere, "to spare," plus an Old French suffix –ous, "having the quality of."

Example Sentences

Family fight flashpoint This is usually the point at which Parsimonious Parent discovers the pile of ruinous glittery rubble that Feckless Parent considers the bare minimum for a decent Christmas.

From The Guardian • Dec. 23, 2018

Parsimonious /pärsəˈmōnēəs/ adjective: unwilling to spend money or use resources.

From Time • Jul. 27, 2015

Q. Parsimonious Twerp: One of my in-laws is a successful athlete who’s been paid over $150 million.

From Slate • Mar. 10, 2015

Parsimonious by instinct, he was distressed that others might get his money.

From Time Magazine Archive

Parsimonious writers would have made half-a-dozen novels out of the stuff of Mrs. Creed's book.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 146, June 24, 1914 by Seaman, Owen, Sir