All words

parsimonious

Meaning

Exhibiting extreme reluctance to spend money or resources; characterized by careful frugality and a tendency to be ungenerous.

Examples by difficulty

Basic: Simple, everyday vocabulary — the easiest to read.

Jason’s father was so parsimonious that he refused to turn on the heat in winter, even when everyone was shivering. He counted every penny and always bought the smallest amount of groceries, never thinking about comfort, just trying to save as much money as possible.

He was so parsimonious, he’d reuse tea bags until they were just sad, watery ghosts. Even a small treat felt like a crime against his wallet. His friends rolled their eyes, calling him tight with every penny.

His parsimonious uncle always ordered the cheapest menu item, split the bill down to the penny, and reused paper towels until they were nearly transparent. No one wanted to go out to eat with him anymore, but they respected how carefully he saved every dollar.

Grandpa Joe is so parsimonious that he once reused his birthday candles for ten years straight, carefully collecting the wax drips with tweezers. At restaurants, he brings his own bread to avoid paying extra, and his family jokes that he can pinch a penny until it begs for mercy.

Old Man Fitzwilliam was so parsimonious, he'd reuse tea bags until they were just sad, flavorless rags. He once tried to knit a sweater from dryer lint, claiming it was the height of frugality, but it just made him itchy and smell like a hamster cage.

Normal: Standard, everyday language.

John was known for his parsimonious ways, always opting for the cheapest menu items and refusing to splurge on anything unnecessary. His friends often joked that he was so frugal, he would pinch pennies until they screamed.

Sarah was known for her parsimonious ways, always opting for the cheapest items on the menu and never splurging on unnecessary luxuries. Despite her friends' protests, she insisted on sticking to her budget and saving every penny she could.

Sarah was known for her parsimonious ways, always opting for the cheapest options and never splurging on anything unnecessary. She would meticulously budget every cent, refusing to spend a penny more than absolutely necessary. Her friends often joked that she was the most frugal person they knew, but they admired her ability to save money with such discipline.

Sarah was known for her parsimonious ways, always cutting coupons and buying items on sale. She rarely splurged on anything extravagant and preferred to save every penny she could. Her friends often joked that she was the most frugal person they knew, but Sarah took pride in her parsimonious habits, knowing that they helped her achieve her financial goals.

Emma's parsimonious nature was evident in the way she meticulously saved every penny, refusing to splurge on even the most basic necessities. Her friends often teased her for being stingy, but Emma took pride in her frugality and saw it as a badge of honor.

Advanced: Richer vocabulary that stretches an upper-level reader.

Though the company had record profits, the manager remained parsimonious, refusing to approve even basic supplies for the team. Employees felt frustrated, watching old computers slow their work, all because their boss was frugal to the point of stinginess with the budget.

He always brought his own lunch, carefully portioned from leftovers, and never bought a round of drinks. His friends found him quite parsimonious, though he'd argue he was just being sensible with his funds.

His parsimonious uncle never bought gifts, always claiming expenses were too high. At Christmas, he'd arrive with homemade cookies wrapped in old newspaper, muttering about the cost of store-bought presents while wearing a threadbare sweater that had clearly survived decades of careful mending.

When it came to tipping waiters, Uncle Harold was so parsimonious that he calculated the exact percentage down to the penny, then subtracted a nickel for every crouton he found in his salad, claiming, “One must be vigilant lest generosity spiral into extravagance!” His dinner invitations mysteriously dwindled.

Bartholomew, a man of parsimonious habits, once declared his retirement fund was so robust he could subsist entirely on lint and sunshine. His neighbors often saw him meticulously salvaging stray crumbs from the sidewalk, convinced each morsel was a windfall of unimaginable fortune.

Challenging: Rare, high-register vocabulary for serious word lovers.

Despite his substantial income, Mr. Clayton remained parsimonious, never indulging even in minor comforts. His reluctance to spend bordered on obsession, as he meticulously scrutinized every expense, declining to heat his home in winter and refusing invitations that might obligate him to reciprocate hospitality.

He was notoriously parsimonious, meticulously rationing every spare coin. The meager allowance for household supplies meant the family often subsisted on bland fare, a testament to his extreme frugality that bordered on outright stinginess.

Tom's parsimonious uncle never offered to pay for dinner, always finding an excuse to slip away when the check arrived. His tight grip on his wallet was legendary among family members, who knew he could afford to be generous but chose instead to hoard every penny.

Edgar’s parsimonious breakfast consisted solely of a single raisin and precisely three flecks of oatmeal; he guarded his pantry with the vigilance of a beleaguered dragon, convinced that wanton generosity with butter would lead to irreparable fiscal insolvency by next Friday.

Barnaby, known for his parsimonious approach to all things, once debated for an hour with a lamppost about the optimal angle to conserve its meager lumens. His meticulous frugality, bordering on outright stinginess, meant he'd meticulously count dust motes before allowing the window to be opened, lest a single precious sunbeam escape.

Difficulty

Advanced — Less frequent words that stretch an upper-level vocabulary.

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