Word of the Day

parsimony

[pahr-suh-moh-nee]

noun:

extreme frugality or stinginess

Explanation

Parsimony takes thrift to the extreme. It's not just budgeting; it's clinging to each penny with white-knuckled intensity. While the word can appear in economic or scientific contexts, it often carries a sharp edge when applied to human behavior. Whether it's praised as prudence or criticized as stinginess, parsimony always holds on tight.

Example: She mistook his careful budgeting for parsimony, not realizing he was saving for his dream vacation.