What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
penurious
Example
The family lived in penurious conditions, struggling to make ends meet. [penurious: adjective]
Example
The company's penurious budget meant that they had to cut back on expenses. [penurious: adjective]
parsimonious
Example
The boss was parsimonious when it came to employee benefits, refusing to provide even basic healthcare coverage. [parsimonious: adjective]
Example
The restaurant's parsimonious portions left customers feeling unsatisfied and hungry. [parsimonious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Parsimonious is more commonly used than penurious in everyday language. Parsimonious is a more versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while penurious is less common and more specific to situations involving poverty or scarcity.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between penurious and parsimonious?
Both penurious and parsimonious are formal words that are not commonly used in everyday conversation. However, parsimonious is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while penurious is more specific and may be more appropriate in formal writing or academic contexts.
