parsimonious
Americanadjective
Synonym Usage
See stingy 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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."
Vocabulary lists containing parsimonious
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“It’s the most parsimonious explanation, but it may not be the only one.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026
Sir Michael rolled his eyes when asked about his annual listing as Wales' richest person, and said his "very parsimonious" mother, Doris, would bring him back down to earth.
From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026
In the days since the new schedule announcement, vaccine experts have repeatedly pointed out that Denmark is actually the outlier from the “peer” countries for having such a parsimonious schedule.
From Slate • Jan. 9, 2026
Advisers can try to reason with a parsimonious client.
From MarketWatch • Oct. 24, 2025
This may prove me as parsimonious as my father, but who spends that much money on corny inflatable light-up Santa Clauses and spinning, singing reindeer?
From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
