parsimonious.

1. Using relatively few assumptions or elements while adequately explaining the relevant evidence.

2. Reluctant to spend money or resources; excessively frugal.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• parsimonious explanation
• parsimonious model
• parsimonious account

On the page

The new model offers a parsimonious explanation without introducing hidden variables.

A more parsimonious account fits the data equally well.

The trustees were so parsimonious that essential repairs remained unfunded.

Usage notes

Primary category: academic. The analytical sense is often approving, whereas the personal spending sense may be critical. The simplest account is not automatically the best-supported one. Gradable: more parsimonious; most parsimonious. Derived family (not inflections): parsimony, parsimoniously.