scanty

scanty

adjective \ˈskan-tē\

scant·i·erscant·i·est

Definition of SCANTY

: limited or less than sufficient in degree, quantity, or extent

— scant·i·ly \ˈskan-tə-lē\ adverb

— scant·i·ness \ˈskan-tē-nəs\ noun

Examples of SCANTY

1. The cheerleaders wore scanty outfits.
2. <the camera's scanty instructions left me somewhat confused>

Origin of SCANTY

English dialect scant scanty supply, from Middle English, from Old Norse skamt, from neuter of skammr short

First Known Use: 1600

Related to SCANTY

Synonyms

exiguous, hand-to-mouth, light, niggardly, poor, scant, meager, 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

See Synonym Discussion at meager

Rhymes with SCANTY

ante, canty, chantey, pantie, shanty, slanty