parsimony: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “parsimony” mean?
extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources; stinginess
In scientific contexts (especially philosophy of science), the principle that the simplest explanation or theory, requiring the fewest assumptions, is preferred (Occam's razor).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use it primarily in formal/academic registers.
Connotations
Identical connotations: negative for frugality, positive for scientific principle.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK academic prose, but very low frequency overall in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “parsimony” in a Sentence
[parsimony] of [NP] (the parsimony of the explanation)[verb] with [parsimony] (spend with parsimony)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “parsimony” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The government is parsimoniously funding the arts.
American English
- The legislation parsimoniously allocates resources.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, used critically: 'The board's parsimony hampered investment in new technology.'
Academic
Common in philosophy, biology, linguistics: 'The theory was selected for its parsimony.'
Everyday
Very rare; would likely use 'stinginess' or 'cheapness' instead.
Technical
Core term in phylogenetics (parsimony analysis) and model selection.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “parsimony”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “parsimony”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “parsimony”
- Using it as a synonym for 'simplicity' outside scientific contexts.
- Misspelling as 'parcimony'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Frugality' is prudent economy, often positive. 'Parsimony' implies an extreme, excessive, or unreasonable degree of frugality, and is negative outside scientific contexts.
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word. In everyday situations, words like 'stinginess' or 'cheapness' are far more common.
The adjective is 'parsimonious' (e.g., a parsimonious explanation, a parsimonious person).
It refers to the methodological principle of preferring the simplest hypothesis/model that explains all observed data (Occam's razor). It is central to fields like phylogenetic systematics in biology.
extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources.
Parsimony is usually formal, academic in register.
Parsimony: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɑː.sɪ.mə.ni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɑːr.sə.moʊ.ni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “parsimony of speech (extreme taciturnity)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'PARSimony' – a PAREnt who is SIMON-like (Scrooge-like), extremely unwilling to spend.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCES ARE A LIMITED FLUID (extreme conservation of the fluid).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'parsimony' likely to have a POSITIVE connotation?