parsimony

American  

[pahr-suh-moh-nee] / ˈpɑr səˌmoʊ ni /

noun

1. extreme or excessive economy or frugality; stinginess; miserliness.

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parsimony British  

/ ˌpɑːsɪˈməʊnɪəs, ˈpɑːsɪmənɪ /

noun

1. extreme care or reluctance in spending; frugality; niggardliness

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Other Word Forms

• parsimonious adjective
• parsimoniously adverb

Etymology

Origin of parsimony

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English parcimony, from Latin parsimōnia, parcimōnia “frugality, thrift,” equivalent to parsi- (combining form of parsus, past participle of parcere “to economize”) or parci- (combining form of parcus “sparing”) + -mōnia -mony

Example Sentences

England's defensive parsimony is allied with attacking potency - they have scored in 19 matches in a row for the first time in more than a century.

From BBC • Nov. 14, 2025

Or perhaps Goya is taking a small liberty, presenting parsimony in a sly juxtaposition to all that flashy gold embroidery, royal hardware and silk.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 28, 2023

But if there is one way to offset parsimony, it’s with development.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 31, 2023

Whether Lula would lead from that ecumenical high ground, let alone deliver growth with parsimony, is another matter — and a doubt Lula himself coyly encourages.

From Washington Post • Oct. 3, 2022

With an exasperating parsimony he took down the chests, opened them, and placed on the table, one by one, seventy-two gold bricks.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez