Meagre Meaning and Definition
Meagre
Pronunciation
/ˈmiːɡər/
Part of Speech
Noun or adjective
Definition
A meager amount or collection of something, often lacking in quantity or quality.
Examples
- The charity’s annual donation was meager this year.
- The meager selection of amenities at the hostel made it unsatisfying.
Synonyms
- Scant
- Paltry
- Meagerly
Antonyms
- Aplenty
- Abundant
- Plentiful
Etymology
The word “meager” originally comes from the Old French word “maigre”, meaning “hungry” or “peckish”. It was later influenced by the Latin word “macer”, meaning “thin” or “scanty”.
Usage Notes
Meager can be used to describe both countable and uncountable nouns, and can also be used as a synonym for “scant” or “paltry”. For example: “The meager crowd at the concert was disappointing”.
Cultural References
The word “meager” has been used in various cultural references, such as in literature and popular music. For example, in the song “Meager” by artist Halsey, the lyrics describe a person’s feelings of inadequacy and scarcity.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- To live on a meager income
- To receive a meager salary
Related Words or Phrases
- Meagreness
- Scantiness
- Paltriness
Collocations
- A meager meal
- A meager allowance
- A meager amount of money
Frequency of Use
The word “meager” is not commonly used in everyday conversation, but it is often used in formal or written contexts to describe a lack of quantity or quality.
Common Misspellings
- Meager → Meagerly
- Meager → Meagerly
- Meager → Mayger
- Meager → Megger