Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a sparse, meager, or insufficient manner: "scantily" describes something done or existing in a way that provides or uses only a small, inadequate amount. It often implies a lack of fullness, coverage, or abundance.
   • Barely; in a minimal way: It can also mean just sufficiently to meet a basic requirement, with little or nothing to spare.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • The report was scantily detailed, leaving many questions unanswered.
  • She was dressed scantily for the cold weather, wearing only a light jacket.
  • The village was scantily populated, with just a few houses scattered across the valley.

Advanced Usage

• "scantily clad": A common collocation meaning dressed in very little clothing.
  • The models in the advertisement were scantily clad.
• Used to modify adjectives that describe provision or presence.
  • a scantily attended meeting (a meeting with very few people present).
  • scantily furnished rooms (rooms with very little furniture).

Variants and Related Words

• Scanty (adjective): Small or insufficient in quantity or amount.
  • The scanty evidence was not enough for a conviction.
• Scant (adjective, verb): Barely sufficient or adequate (adj.); to provide or deal with inadequately (v.).
  • He paid scant attention to the instructions. (adj.)
  • The company scanted on safety measures. (v.)

Synonyms

• Sparsely: In a thinly dispersed or scattered manner.
• Meagerly: In a deficient or inadequate amount.
• Barely: Only just; almost not.
• Insufficiently: To an inadequate degree.

Antonyms

• Abundantly: In large quantities; plentifully.
• Amply: More than sufficiently; generously.
• Lavishly: In a rich, elaborate, or generous manner.
• Fully: Completely or entirely; to the greatest degree.

Related Phrases

• To do something scantily: To perform an action with inadequate effort or resources.
  • The research was done so scantily that its conclusions are unreliable.

Adverb

1. in a sparse or scanty way
   • a barely furnished room