Dictionary

parsimonious

adjective par·si·mo·ni·ous \ˌpär-sə-ˈmō-nē-əs\

: very unwilling to spend money

Full Definition of PARSIMONIOUS

1
:  exhibiting or marked by parsimony; especially :  frugal to the point of stinginess
2
par·si·mo·ni·ous·ly adverb
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Examples of PARSIMONIOUS

  1. A society that is parsimonious in its personal charity (in terms of both time and money) will require more government welfare. —William J. Bennett, The Death of Outrage, 1998

Origin of PARSIMONIOUS

(see parsimony)
First Known Use: 1598

Synonym Discussion of PARSIMONIOUS

stingy, close, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, miserly mean being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others. stingy implies a marked lack of generosity <a stingy child, not given to sharing>. 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>.

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