Definitions
- Referring to a very small amount of money or income. - Talking about a salary or wage that is barely enough to survive on. - Describing a payment or compensation that is inadequate or insufficient.
- Referring to a small amount of something, usually a positive quality or attribute. - Talking about a minimum or essential amount of something required for a particular purpose. - Describing a small but significant quantity of something.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to a small amount of something.
- 2Both can be used to describe a quantity that is less than desirable.
- 3Both words are often used in a negative context.
- 4Both words can be used to express disappointment or dissatisfaction.
What is the difference?
- 1Type of quantity: Pittance refers to a small amount of money or income, while modicum refers to a small amount of any substance or quality.
- 2Connotation: Pittance has a negative connotation and implies that the amount is insufficient or inadequate, while modicum has a neutral or positive connotation and implies that the amount is enough or satisfactory.
- 3Usage: Pittance is used more commonly in the context of salaries, wages, or compensation, while modicum is used more commonly in the context of qualities, attributes, or substances.
- 4Degree of smallness: Pittance implies an extremely small amount, while modicum implies a small but reasonable amount.
- 5Emphasis: Pittance emphasizes the lack of quantity, while modicum emphasizes the presence of a small but significant quantity.
Remember this!
Pittance and modicum are synonyms that both refer to a small amount of something. However, pittance specifically refers to a small amount of money or income, while modicum can refer to a small amount of any substance or quality. Additionally, pittance has a negative connotation and implies inadequacy, while modicum has a neutral or positive connotation and implies sufficiency.
