meager
Translation
meager, scanty, insufficient
Examples
They survived on a meager diet of bread and water.
They survived on a meager diet of bread and water.
He received a meager salary for his hard work.
He received a meager salary for his hard work.
Grammar Patterns
((a/an)) meager ((noun)) a small or insufficient amount of (sth.) He received a meager salary.
Similar Words
Synonyms: scanty, sparse, insufficient; Antonyms: abundant, plentiful
Etymology
From Old French 'maigre' (thin), from Latin 'macer' (thin, lean).
Memory Tips
This is the standard American spelling. The British spelling is 'meagre'. The '-er' ending is common in American English, like in 'center' or 'theater'.