scant
/skænt/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Insufficient in quantity or amount; barely sufficient: "scant" describes something that is less than what is needed, desired, or expected, often implying a deliberate or noticeable shortage.
- Meager or limited: It can also describe something that is just enough or only a small amount.
Verb:
- To provide or allocate an insufficient amount: To give or supply something in a meager, limited, or restricted quantity.
- To treat or deal with something inadequately: To handle a task or subject with insufficient effort, care, or depth.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- He paid scant attention to the instructions. (He gave very little or insufficient attention.)
- The report found scant evidence to support the claim. (The report found very little evidence.)
- We have only a scant hour to finish the work. (We have barely an hour, which is not really enough.)
Verb:
- The manager scanted the resources for the new project. (The manager provided insufficient resources.)
- Do not scant on the details when writing your report. (Do not treat the details with insufficient care or provide too few of them.)
Advanced Usage
"to be scant of": to have very little of something; to be lacking.
- The refugees were scant of food and water. (The refugees had very little food and water.)
"scant regard/attention": very little respect or consideration.
- He showed scant regard for the rules. (He showed very little respect for the rules.)
Variants and Related Words
Scantly (adverb): in a scant manner; barely, insufficiently.
- The room was scantly furnished. (The room was furnished with barely enough items.)
Scantiness (noun): the quality or condition of being scant; insufficiency.
- The scantiness of the evidence made a conviction difficult. (The insufficiency of the evidence made it hard to get a conviction.)
Synonyms
- Adjective: Meager, sparse, insufficient, inadequate, limited, skimpy, paltry.
- Verb: Skimp, stint, begrudge, shortchange.
Antonyms
- Adjective: Abundant, ample, plentiful, sufficient, copious.
- Verb: Lavish, shower, pour.
Related Phrases
Scant hope/possibility: very little hope or chance.
- There is scant hope of finding survivors. (There is very little hope.)
Scantily clad: wearing very few clothes.
- The models were scantily clad for the photo shoot. (This is a common fixed phrase using the adverb "scantily," derived from "scant.")
Adjective
- less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so
- a light pound
- a scant cup of sugar
- regularly gives short weight
Verb
- supply sparingly and with restricted quantities
- sting with the allowance
- limit in quality or quantity
- work hastily or carelessly; deal with inadequately and superficially