scanty Hear it!

scanty Definition

scanty (skan′tē)

adjective scant′i·er, scant′i·est

  1. barely sufficient; not ample; meager
  2. insufficient; not enough
  3. narrow; small; close

Etymology: scant + -y

scanty Related Forms
scant′i·ly adverb scant′i·ness noun
scanty Synonyms

scanty

modif.

scarce, scant, meager, sparse, barely sufficient, insufficient, inadequate, spare, few, pinched, little, small, bare, slender, narrow, thin, scrimp, scrimpy, tiny, diminutive, short, stingy, in short supply, skimpy*, measly*; see also inadequate 1.

Antonyms plentiful, ample, large.

scanty implies an inadequacy in amount, number, quantity, etc. of something essential a scanty supply of paper; scant is applied to a barely sufficient amount or a stinted quantity the scant attendance at the concert; spare implies less than a sufficient amount but may connote simply lack of abundance or excess rather than hardship to live on spare rations; sparse applies to a scanty quantity that is thinly distributed over a wide area his sparse hair; meager implies thinness or insufficiency and connotes a lack of that which gives something richness, vigor, strength, fullness, etc. meager cultural resources

scanty Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • clothing: In deference to local customs, scanty clothing is not advisable in public places.
  • hair: A few scanty gray hairs still hung about his yellow scalp.
  • meal: After that service, she fed twenty-four persons; and then, and not till then, she retired to a scanty ascetic meal.
  • evidence: Your conclusion section is based on rather scanty evidence.
  • supply: From this reservoir the town received its scanty supply.
  • knowledge: She identified some discussion points: 2. Firstly, we on the SE side have a rather scanty knowledge of the cosmetics industry.

Modifying Another Word

  • rather: The evidence to help decide who should take how much of what is rather scanty.
  • very: Proposed shift rotas appear to have very scanty provision in terms of senior cover for ward work on a day to day basis.
  • too: The tower system appeared in some parts of the coast to be too scanty, in others too profuse.
  • so: Records of theatrical performances in Elizabethan times are so scanty that no inference can be drawn from them.
  • somewhat: Not sure what Bats ' gripe is with Hollings, as my knowledge of local American politics is somewhat scanty.
  • still: Experimental evidence of the effect of increased sterol forma tion in resistance to tuberculosis is still scanty.

Used with adjective complement

  • appear: On the other hand, the evidence that the drug is effective appears scanty.
  • become: Younger women can suffer heavy periods or their periods may become scanty.
  • remain: Wildlife has remained scanty apart from the flying fish which have a habit of landing on the ship's deck overnight.