1
Core quality
Extremely poor or lacking money; also, excessively unwilling to spend it.
Example
The penurious household could not afford fuel.
penurious
/pɪˈnjʊəriəs/ · pih-NYOOR-ee-usadjective
Extremely poor or lacking money; also, excessively unwilling to spend it.
Use penurious to express this relationship precisely: extremely poor or lacking money; also, excessively unwilling to spend it.
What penurious Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
Despite his wealth, the penurious patron paid workers poorly.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
The programme supported students from penurious backgrounds.
Use penurious Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The penurious household could not afford fuel.
Despite his wealth, the penurious patron paid workers poorly.
The programme supported students from penurious backgrounds.
Precision Matters
Penurious overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
penurious
vs.Means extremely poor or lacking money; also, excessively unwilling to spend it.
frugal
Means careful and economical in the use of money, materials, or resources.
penurious
vs.Means extremely poor or lacking money; also, excessively unwilling to spend it.
opulent
Means rich, luxurious, and often elaborately decorated.
penurious
vs.Means extremely poor or lacking money; also, excessively unwilling to spend it.
avarice
Means an extreme and selfish desire to acquire or possess wealth and material gain.
penurious
vs.Means extremely poor or lacking money; also, excessively unwilling to spend it.
prodigious
Means remarkably large or impressive.
Test penurious in Context
The family lives in severe poverty and lacks money for basic needs.
1
Raised in a ___ family, she often studied by candlelight because electricity was unaffordable.