meager

word

Definition

Very small in amount or quality; not enough or not impressive.

Usage & Nuances

More common in formal or written English. Often used with 'salary', 'income', 'meal', 'resources', or 'evidence'. Implies not just a small amount but also disappointment or inadequacy.

Example Sentences

They survived on a meager income.

basic

The village had only meager resources.

basic

His lunch was meager, just a piece of bread.

basic

The evidence was too meager to prove anything in court.

natural

She looked at her meager savings and sighed.

natural

After paying the bills, there was only a meager amount left for fun.

natural