Today's Word

Quandary

KWAHN-duh-ree

Definition

(noun) A state of uncertainty, confusion, or doubt, often involving a difficult decision.

Example

She found herself in a quandary when she received two amazing job offers and couldn’t decide which to take.

Fun Fact

The origin of “quandary” is unclear, but it has been used since the 16th century to describe dilemmas that leave people unsure of what to do. Whether choosing between two tempting desserts or deciding on a life-changing move, we all experience quandaries—big and small—every day!

Previous Words

Parsimonious

Today's Word

Parsimonious

par-sih-MOH-nee-us

Definition

(adjective) Unwilling to spend money or use resources; extremely frugal to the point of stinginess.

Example

He was so parsimonious that he kept the thermostat at 58 degrees all winter and wore two sweaters instead.

Word Origin

From Latin parsimonia, meaning “frugality” or “thrift,” derived from parcere (“to spare, be sparing”). The word entered English in the 15th century through Old French. Its Latin root is also the ancestor of “sparse” — both words carry the idea of deliberate scarcity.

Fun Fact

“Parsimonious” has a philosophical sibling: Occam’s Razor — the principle that the simplest explanation is usually correct — is sometimes called the “principle of parsimony.” In science, parsimony means elegance and economy of explanation, which is considered a virtue. So the same word that describes a miser hoarding his pennies also describes one of the most respected principles in logic and scientific reasoning — the idea that less, truly, is more.

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Quandary

Definition

Example

Previous Words

Parsimonious

Parsimonious

Definition

Example

Word Origin

Parsimonious

Effervescent

Facetious

Capricious

Sedulous