exiguous
/eg'zigjuəs/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Extremely scanty, meager, or small in amount or extent: Describes something that is very limited, insufficient, or barely adequate in quantity, size, or degree.
Usage and Examples
- General Usage:
- The refugees survived on an exiguous supply of food and water. (This describes a very small, barely sufficient amount.)
- He conducted his research with exiguous resources, relying mostly on public archives. (This emphasizes the extreme scantiness of the available means.)
- Only an exiguous number of tickets remained for the final show. (This indicates a very small, almost negligible quantity.)
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- Formal and Literary Context: "Exiguous" is a formal word, typically found in written English, academic texts, or literary descriptions. It is not common in everyday conversation.
- The exiguous evidence presented was insufficient to secure a conviction.
- Often Implies Inadequacy: The word often carries a connotation that the small amount is insufficient for the purpose or need.
- Their exiguous income made saving for the future impossible.
Variants and Related Words
- Exiguity (noun): The state or quality of being exiguous; meagerness.
- The exiguity of the archaeological findings puzzled the researchers.
Synonyms
- Meager: Deficient in quantity or richness.
- Scanty: Barely sufficient or inadequate.
- Sparse: Thinly scattered or distributed.
- Paltry: Ridiculously or insultingly small.
- Inadequate: Not sufficient to meet a need.
Antonyms
- Abundant: Existing or available in large quantities.
- Ample: More than enough; plentiful.
- Copious: Abundant in supply or quantity.
- Lavish: Sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious.
Adjective
- extremely scanty
- an exiguous budget