parsimonious

Imagine Old Man Tiberius, known throughout the village for patching his shoes with cardboard and reusing tea bags until they are almost clear. That is a parsimonious man. It does not necessarily mean he is poor; it means he is very unwilling to spend money, even when he can afford to.

Most of the time, the word describes someone who is overly careful with money or not generous with what they have. It can also be used more broadly for time, effort, or other resources, but the usual idea is that someone gives or spends less than they should.

To describe someone as parsimonious is to say they are extremely frugal or stingy, particularly when it comes to spending money. It goes beyond simply being thrifty; a parsimonious person actively avoids expenditure, often to an excessive degree. They might choose the cheapest option even if it means sacrificing quality or convenience.

However, parsimonious is not always negative. In scientific and technical contexts, "parsimony" refers to a preference for simplicity. A parsimonious explanation is one that reaches a conclusion with the fewest necessary assumptions or parts. This is close to the idea behind Occam's Razor: the simpler explanation is often preferred.

Historically, the word carried connotations of prudence and wisdom—valuing resources carefully. Today, it often leans towards a negative judgment, suggesting excessive frugality bordering on meanness. You might say, "Despite his wealth, he lived a parsimonious life, refusing to donate to charity." Or, "The scientist favored a parsimonious model, arguing that the simpler explanation was more likely to be correct."

So, while it can describe someone who carefully manages resources, parsimonious generally suggests an unwillingness to spend or share, whether that means money, time, or effort. In everyday English, it usually sounds critical rather than complimentary. It is about using as little as possible, sometimes to the point of seeming mean or overly restrained.