What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mere
Example
It was a mere coincidence that we ran into each other at the store. [mere: adjective]
Example
The book was a mere 100 pages long. [mere: adjective]
meager
Example
The family's income was meager, and they struggled to make ends meet. [meager: adjective]
Example
The soup was meager, with only a few vegetables and little seasoning. [meager: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mere is more commonly used than meager in everyday language. Mere is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while meager is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations where something is lacking or insufficient.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mere and meager?
Both mere and meager are relatively formal words that are typically used in written or academic contexts. However, mere can also be used in informal speech or writing.
