Definitions
- Referring to a small or inadequate amount of something, such as food, money, or resources. - Describing something that is lacking in quantity, quality, or substance. - Talking about something that is insufficient or barely enough to meet one's needs or expectations.
- Describing something that is limited or insufficient in quantity or amount. - Referring to something that is inadequate or not enough to fulfill a particular purpose or need. - Talking about something that is meager or lacking in substance or detail.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe something that is lacking or insufficient.
- 2Both words can be used to describe a small or inadequate amount of something.
- 3Both words have negative connotations.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Meagre is more commonly used in British English, while scanty is more common in American English.
- 2Connotation: Meagre implies a sense of poverty or deprivation, while scanty suggests a lack of completeness or insufficiency.
- 3Scope: Meagre can be used to describe a wide range of things, including food, resources, and finances, while scanty is more often used to describe physical objects or information.
- 4Degree: Meagre suggests a greater degree of scarcity or inadequacy than scanty.
Remember this!
Meagre and scanty are synonyms that both describe something that is lacking or insufficient. However, meagre is more commonly used in British English and has French origins, while scanty is more common in American English and has Latin origins. Meagre implies a sense of poverty or deprivation, while scanty suggests a lack of completeness or insufficiency. Additionally, meagre can be used to describe a wider range of things than scanty, and it suggests a greater degree of scarcity or inadequacy.
