Words / C2

imp-i-KYOON-ee-uh-s/ˌɪmpɪˈkjuːniəs/

Impecunious means having little or no money (formal): an impecunious student, impecunious years. Poor (already in the dictionary) is everyday; penurious (already in the dictionary) is extremely poor, or mean with money, and parsimonious (already in the dictionary) is stingy, of unwillingness to spend — not the same as having none. Luxury (already in the dictionary) is extra comfort. A thin budget still has to name the night post.

Meaning

Having little or no money (formal).

Examples

• “An impecunious budget still has to name the fire warden.”
• “Poor is everyday (already in A2). Penurious is poverty-stricken or stingy (already in C2). Parsimonious is too sparing (already in C2) — stingy, not broke. Luxury is extra comfort (already in B1) — the contrast. A named post can still be cheap. A cut that never states the night cover is a hole. Write the rota; then the thrift.”

Good to know

Having little money (formal). Everyday: poor (already in this dictionary). Close: penurious (already in C2). Contrast: parsimonious (stingy — already in C2); luxury (already in B1). Thrift ≠ a warden.

Near in meaning

penniless, poor, penurious, broke

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