skimpy

adjective

ˈskim-pē 

skimpier; skimpiest

: deficient in supply or execution especially through skimping : scanty

skimpily

ˈskim-pə-lē 

adverb

skimpiness

ˈskim-pē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of skimpy

• sparse
• scarce

Choose the Right Synonym for skimpy

meager, scanty, scant, skimpy, spare, sparse mean falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable.

meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

scant suggests a falling short of what is desired or desirable rather than of what is essential.

in January the daylight hours are scant

skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency.

tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

sparse implies a thin scattering of units.

a sparse population

Examples of skimpy in a Sentence

the information in the user's manual for the microwave is skimpy and not particularly helpful

Recent Examples on the Web

Ali Larter flaunted her fit physique in several skimpy bikinis while soaking up the sun during a vacation in Italy. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026

This time, the diva is face down in her pool, and the pilgrim is in skimpy lingerie. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026

The salade de homard has skimpy pieces of lobster tossed on greens with some green beans, and the steak filet is awfully small, though perfectly cooked. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Basketball legend Michael Jordan has been seen getting on and off his yacht at Nammos, the island’s most famous beach club that boasts Las Vegas-type show girls in skimpy costumes. — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for skimpy

• wimpy

Kids Definition

skimpy

adjective

ˈskim-pē 

skimpier; skimpiest

: barely enough : scanty

skimpily

-pə-lē 

adverb

skimpiness

-pē-nəs 

noun