scant

/skænt/
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scant

A baker uses a scant cup of sugar in the recipe.

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.")
scant

A baker uses a scant cup of sugar in the recipe.

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