Definition

1. 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.

2. 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

1. 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

1. supply sparingly and with restricted quantities
   • sting with the allowance
2. limit in quality or quantity
3. work hastily or carelessly; deal with inadequately and superficially