parsimonious

American

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

adjective

characterized by or showing parsimony; frugal or stingy.

Synonyms:

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

Antonyms:

generous

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

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.

Corporate road warriors say European companies can be even more parsimonious.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

Advisers can try to reason with a parsimonious client.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 24, 2025

Mills was parsimonious while also accounting for Originals' three most dangerous batters.

From BBC • Aug. 6, 2025

He ran the theater with love and a parsimonious budget, meaning that the ticket salesperson sometimes also ran the snack stand and tended the projector.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2025

“I respect your parsimonious nature,” he says, and then continues arranging constellations his own way as he mumbles facts about outer space.

From "Boy21" by Matthew Quick

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023