Basic Details
Word: Parsimony
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Extreme unwillingness to spend money. In science it also names the idea of choosing the simplest explanation.
Synonyms: stinginess, meanness, miserliness
Antonyms: generosity, extravagance
Word origin: From Latin parsimonia, from parcere, to spare or save.
How to Spell Parsimony
Syllables: par - si - mo - ny
Tricky part: The ending is mony, with no e, though money is spelt with one. The second vowel is i, so parsemony is wrong.
Watch out for: parsimoney, parsimeny, parsemony
Memory tip: Think of harmony and testimony: parsimony ends the same way, m-o-n-y, without the e of money.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The company's parsimony meant the office fans were never repaired.
Example 2: His parsimony was so extreme that he would not buy a new pair of slippers.
Example 3: Out of parsimony, she kept every rubber band that came with the newspaper.
Fun Fact
Scientists speak of the principle of parsimony, better known as Occam's razor: when two explanations fit the facts, prefer the simpler one.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. parsimony 2. extravagence 3. philanthrophy 4. avarise
a) spending far more than is sensible
b) extreme unwillingness to spend money
c) a strong greed for wealth
d) helping others by giving money to good causes
Show answer
b) extreme unwillingness to spend money. Extravagance ends in ance, philanthropy has no h after the second p, and avarice ends in ice.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word parsimony as used in the sentence:
The manager's parsimony with office supplies annoyed his staff.
a) laziness
b) stinginess
c) honesty
d) generosity
Show answer
b) stinginess. A manager who will not hand out even pens and paper is showing stinginess.
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
pars_mo_y
a) i, n
b) a, n
c) i, m
d) e, n
Show answer
a) i, n. The word runs par-si-mo-ny, so an i follows pars and an n comes before the y.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. On holiday, a person known for parsimony would choose ____.
a) the costliest suite
b) a five-star dinner
c) a first-class flight
d) the cheapest room available
Show answer
d) the cheapest room available
2. Parsimony is the opposite of ____.
a) laziness
b) patience
c) generosity
d) honesty
Show answer
c) generosity
