meager
meager — adjective
- meagerpositive
- meagerercomparative
- meagerestsuperlative
1. much smaller or less than what is needed or thought reasonable, often in a disap
much smaller or less than what is needed or thought reasonable, often in a disappointing way — for example, a meager paycheck that barely covers rent, or a meager meal of just bread and water.
The refugee camp received only a meager supply of drinking water each week.
meager + supply / resources
Dario's meager savings were not enough to cover the hospital bill.
With only a meager harvest, the village will struggle through the winter.
Rachid found it hard to pay his rent on such a meager income.
A meager breakfast of dry bread and weak tea was all the prisoners received.
- scant
similar meaning but more factual; 'scant' suggests barely enough, while 'meager' focuses on disappointment at how little there is
- paltry
stronger negative tone; 'paltry' feels dismissive and insulting, while 'meager' is more neutral-descriptive
- sparse
about distribution or density rather than amount; 'sparse' means thinly spread, while 'meager' means insufficient in quantity
- skimpy
more informal, often about clothing or portions; 'skimpy' suggests something is deliberately too small
文法句型
meager + noun (income, meal, harvest, resources)
be + meager
用法筆記
Typically used before nouns describing money, food, or resources. More common in written English and formal contexts than in everyday speech.