scant

¹scant

adj \ˈskant\

Definition of SCANT

1

dialect a : excessively frugal b : not prodigal : chary

2

a : barely or scarcely sufficient; especially : not quite coming up to a stated measure <a scant teaspoon> b : lacking in amplitude or quantity <scant growth>

3

: having a small or insufficient supply <he's fat, and scant of breath — Shakespeare>

— scant·ly adverb

— scant·ness noun

Examples of SCANT

1. Food was in scant supply.
2. She paid scant attention to the facts.
3. Police found scant evidence of fraud.

Origin of SCANT

Middle English, from Old Norse skamt, neuter of skammr short

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SCANT

Synonyms: exiguous, hand-to-mouth, light, niggardly, poor, meager, scanty, scarce, skimp, skimpy, slender, slim, spare, sparing, sparse, stingy

Antonyms: abundant, ample, bountiful, copious, generous, liberal, plenteous, plentiful

Related Words: deficient, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, short, wanting; bare, bare-bones; least, littlest, lowest, mere, minimal, slightest; slight, small, thin; barren, infertile, sterile, unfruitful, unproductive

Near Antonyms: adequate, enough, satisfactory, sufficient, tolerable; fat, fecund, fertile, fruitful, prolific, rich; lavish, luxuriant; blooming, bursting, flourishing, proliferative, swarming, teeming, thriving; excess, extra, surplus

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See Synonym Discussion at meager

Rhymes with SCANT

ant, aunt, brant, cant, chant, grant, Kant, pant, plant, rant, slant