scant — barely sufficient or adequate; lacking in quantity or extent
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: barely sufficient or adequate; lacking in quantity or extent
Pronunciation (IPA): /skænt/
Example Sentences
- The detective had scant clues to solve the mystery of the missing pizza.
- She paid scant attention to her boss's long speech about punctuality.
- There was scant hope that my cat would ever learn to use the toilet.
scant
ADJECTIVE[/skænt/]
barely sufficient or adequate; lacking in quantity or extent
The hikers stared at their scant water supply with growing worry.
With scant water, I can't give up - I must plant!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old Norse 'skamt' meaning 'short' or 'brief', related to the adjective describing limited extent or duration. The word entered Middle English through Scandinavian influence during the medieval period.
Breakdown
scant (from Old Norse skamt meaning 'short') - a simple root word with no productive morpheme breakdown, functioning as both adjective and verb meaning 'to provide inadequately' or 'barely sufficient'
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The detective had scant clues to solve the mystery of the missing pizza.”
“She paid scant attention to her boss's long speech about punctuality.”
“There was scant hope that my cat would ever learn to use the toilet.”
“The research showed scant improvement in test scores after the new program.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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