Basic Details
Word: Parsimony
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The quality of being very careful with money or resources; not wanting to spend too much.
Synonyms: Frugality, stinginess, thriftiness
Antonyms: Generosity, lavishness, extravagance
Idioms and Phrases
- Penny wise, pound foolish: Someone who is careful with small amounts of money but careless with larger amounts. Example: "He is penny wise, pound foolish, spending days looking for discounts but overspending on expensive gadgets."
- Cut corners: To do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often sacrificing quality. Example: "They tried to cut corners in the renovation, which ended up costing them more in the long run."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Her parsimony meant that she saved a lot of money over the years, but it often frustrated her friends who wanted to splurge on fun outings.
Example 2: While some people appreciate parsimony, others find it a little too stingy for their liking.
Example 3: The company's parsimony in marketing led to fewer customers, as they weren't reaching their audience effectively.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the word 'parsimony' comes from the Latin word 'parsimonia', which means 'thrift' or 'frugality'? It has been used in English since the late 14th century to describe extreme frugality or stinginess.
Famous Quote
"Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship." Benjamin Franklin
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "parsimony" mean?
a) The quality of being very generous
b) The quality of being careful with money
c) The act of being wasteful
d) The love of spending
Answer: b) The quality of being careful with money
2. Which of these is a synonym of "parsimony"?
a) Generosity
b) Frugality
c) Lavishness
d) Splurging
Answer: b) Frugality
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "parsimony"?
a) Thriftiness
b) Stinginess
c) Generosity
d) Frugality
Answer: c) Generosity
4. Which sentence uses "parsimony" correctly?
a) His parsimony resulted in a beautifully extravagant birthday party.
b) Her parsimony often saved her money, but she missed out on fun activities.
c) The parsimony of the event was met with much admiration from the guests.
d) Parsimony was the best way to blow all of his savings.
Answer: b) Her parsimony often saved her money, but she missed out on fun activities.
5. Which idiom means not to spend much money?
a) Cut corners
b) Throw money around
c) Burn a hole in your pocket
d) Go for broke
Answer: a) Cut corners
