adjective

meager

/ˈmiːɡər/ · say it: MEE·ger

lacking in quantity or quality

In Describing & Comparing

In more detail

1. (adjective) small in amount and not enough; lacking in quantity or quality

2. (adjective) thin and bony; lacking flesh

Examples

1. The refugee camp provided only meager supplies of food and water.
2. The sick man's meager frame showed signs of long illness.

How to use meager

Meager describes something that is insufficient in quantity or disappointing in quality, often implying hardship or deprivation. It can refer to amounts (a meager salary) or physical appearance (a meager frame). The term carries a slightly negative or sympathetic tone and is commonly used in both concrete and abstract contexts.

Common phrases

meager diet
meager income
meager resources
meager existence
meager portions

Synonyms

scanty · sparse · inadequate · scant · paltry

Opposites

abundant · plentiful · generous

Word family

meagerly (adverb) · meagerness (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse meager with meander; meager means insufficient or thin, while meander means to wander aimlessly or take a winding course.

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