What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
scrimpy
Example
The restaurant served a scrimpy portion of food. [scrimpy: adjective]
Example
We had to make do with scrimpy supplies during the camping trip. [scrimpy: noun]
Example
He's known for being scrimpy with his money, even when it comes to basic necessities. [scrimpy: adjective]
paltry
Example
The company offered a paltry salary for the job. [paltry: adjective]
Example
The team's performance was hindered by their paltry resources. [paltry: noun]
Example
He was disappointed by the paltry amount of recognition he received for his hard work. [paltry: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Paltry is more commonly used than scrimpy in everyday language. Paltry is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while scrimpy is less common and typically used in informal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between scrimpy and paltry?
Both scrimpy and paltry are informal words, but paltry is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while scrimpy is more limited to informal contexts.
