pittance
noun
pit·tance
ˈpi-tᵊn(t)s 
: a small portion, amount, or allowance
also
: a meager wage or remuneration
Did you know?
It's a pity when you haven't anything but a pittance. And in fact, pity and pittance share etymological roots. The Middle English word pittance came from Anglo-French pitance, meaning "pity" or "piety." Originally, a pittance was a gift or bequest to a religious community, or a small charitable gift. Ultimately, the word comes from the Latin pietas, meaning "piety" or "compassion." Our words pity and piety come from pietas as well.
Examples of pittance in a Sentence
the internship offers only a pittance for a salary, but it is a great opportunity to gain experience
Recent Examples on the Web
The company offered a pittance in Google Store credit or a free battery swap in recompense, but taking advantage of either can be a pain.
—
Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 28 July 2025
So, if a redevelopment project tore down a slum that generated only a pittance in taxes and replaced it with a complex of fancy office buildings and hotels, the area would now generate huge tax revenues, with all the increase to be kept by the agency.
—James Burling, Oc Register, 28 July 2025
Either a pittance for part-time work or a reasonable salary for a full-time job.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 28 July 2025
Even brands previously known for consumer electronics, such as smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi, have launched their own high-tech EVs for a relative pittance.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pittance
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Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 28 July 2025
So, if a redevelopment project tore down a slum that generated only a pittance in taxes and replaced it with a complex of fancy office buildings and hotels, the area would now generate huge tax revenues, with all the increase to be kept by the agency.
—James Burling, Oc Register, 28 July 2025
Either a pittance for part-time work or a reasonable salary for a full-time job.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 28 July 2025
Even brands previously known for consumer electronics, such as smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi, have launched their own high-tech EVs for a relative pittance.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pittance
Cite this Entry
“Pittance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pittance. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pittance
noun
pit·tance
ˈpit-ᵊn(t)s
: a small portion, amount, or allowance especially of money
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