What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
meager
Example
The family's meager income barely covered their basic needs. [meager: adjective]
Example
The restaurant offered a meager selection of vegetarian options. [meager: adjective]
scanty
Example
The hotel provided scanty towels and toiletries. [scanty: adjective]
Example
The company's budget allowed for only a scanty increase in salaries. [scanty: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Meager is slightly more common than scanty in everyday language, but both words are used relatively infrequently.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between meager and scanty?
Both meager and scanty are considered formal words and are not commonly used in casual conversation. However, meager is more commonly used in literature and poetry, which may give it a slightly more elevated tone.
