Find the correctly spelled word meaning for extreme frugality.

Correct — A. The spelling is parsimonious: p-a-r-s-i-m-o-n-i-o-u-s.

It is the adjective of parsimony, formed the way harmony gives harmonious: the y of the noun becomes i, then -ous is added.

One m, an s in the first syllable and -ious at the end → option (a).

Why the others are wrong

• (b)
  Parsimmonious — Parsimmonious doubles the m. The noun parsimony has one m, like harmony and ceremony, and the adjective keeps it.
• (c)
  Parsimonius — Parsimonius drops the i before -ous. That i is the y of parsimony, as in harmony and harmonious, and it cannot be left out.
• (d)
  Parcimonious — Parcimonious swaps the s for a c. The Latin verb behind the word, parcere, has a c, but English spells parsimony and parsimonious with s.

Parsimonious means very unwilling to spend money or use resources. It usually carries disapproval, close to stingy or miserly, while frugal and thrifty usually praise.

The noun is parsimony. Both come from Latin parsimonia, frugality, from parcere, to spare.

The word is also used outside money: a parsimonious explanation is one that assumes as little as possible.

Key facts

• Parsimonious is spelt with one m and ends in -ious.
• Its noun is parsimony, extreme unwillingness to spend.
• Parsimony and parsimonious pair like harmony and harmonious, or ceremony and ceremonious.
• Parsimonious usually carries disapproval, frugal and thrifty usually do not.

Common traps

• Carrying the c of the Latin root parcere into the English word and choosing Parcimonious
• Dropping the i before -ous, the slip that turns parsimonious into Parsimonius

No directly related past PYQ was found.