scanty

[ skan-tee ]

adjective

, scant·i·er, scant·i·est.

1. scant in amount, quantity, etc.; barely sufficient.

   Antonyms: ample, plentiful

2. meager; not adequate.

   Antonyms: ample, plentiful

3. lacking amplitude in extent or compass.

noun

, plural scant·ies.

1. scanties, very brief underpants, especially for women.

scanty

/ ˈskæntɪ /

adjective

1. limited; barely enough; meagre
2. insufficient; inadequate
3. lacking fullness; small

Derived Forms

• ˈscantily, adverb
• ˈscantiness, noun

Other Words From

• scant·i·ly adverb
• scant·i·ness noun
• un·scant·y adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scanty¹

First recorded in 1650–60; scant + -y ¹; scanty ( def 4 ) blend of scanty and panties

Synonym Study

Scanty, meager, sparse refer to insufficiency or deficiency in quantity, number, etc. Scanty denotes smallness or insufficiency of quantity, number, supply, etc.: a scanty supply of food. Meager indicates that something is poor, stinted, or inadequate: meager fare; a meager income. Sparse applies particularly to that which grows thinly or is thinly strewn or sown, often over a wide area: sparse vegetation; a sparse population.

Example Sentences

The burials had scanty grave goods—a bead and a dog paw—so it’s hard to connect them to any particular material culture.

From Science Magazine

In 2005 he was tapped to update the Playboy Bunnies' scanty uniform, and even introduced one version in leopard print.

From BBC

The slight and scanty “Drive-Away Dolls” could dissipate with a gust of wind, but it beats a hasty getaway before that becomes a problem.

From Los Angeles Times

It will also impact farming and water supply as scanty snowfall will not replenish groundwater reserves adequately.

From BBC

This is a bad idea, as it would make the real source of the problem — scanty info about city and local issues — worse.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• insufficient
• meager
• scant
• skimpy
• sparse