Meaning & use

scanty

adjective·Academic

Very small in amount or size, and barely enough to be sufficient.

See it in a sentence

The refugees survived on scanty rations for weeks after the crossing.

She wore a scanty outfit that offered little protection from the cold wind.

A note on using this word

Often collocates with 'evidence,' 'clothing,' or 'rations' to suggest an amount uncomfortably below what is needed.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

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