Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Insufficient in amount or extent: "scanty" describes something that is barely adequate or less than what is needed or expected.
   • Lacking fullness or abundance: It can refer to something that is meager, sparse, or not plentiful.

2. Noun:

   • A type of undergarment: "scanty" (usually used in the plural, "scanties") refers to short, minimal underpants for women or children.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The refugees survived on a scanty supply of food and water.
  • Her knowledge of the subject was scanty, so she decided to study more.
  • The tree provided only scanty shade from the midday sun.

• Noun:

  • She packed a few scanties for her trip. (Note: This usage is informal and often plural.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be scanty of": to have very little of something.
  • The report was scanty of details, making it hard to understand.
• "scanty evidence": evidence that is insufficient to prove something conclusively.
  • The case was dismissed due to scanty evidence.

Variants and Related Words

• Scantily (adverb): in a scanty manner; insufficiently.
  • The room was scantily furnished.
• Scantiness (noun): the quality or state of being scanty.
  • The scantiness of the harvest worried the farmers.

Synonyms

• Adjective: meager, sparse, insufficient, skimpy, paltry, bare, minimal.
• Noun (for the garment): panties, briefs, knickers.

Antonyms

• Adjective: abundant, plentiful, ample, copious, generous, lavish.

Related Phrases

• Scanty information: information that is lacking in detail or quantity.
  • We cannot make a decision based on such scanty information.
• Scanty rainfall: a very small amount of rain.
  • The region experienced scanty rainfall this year, leading to drought.

Adjective

1. lacking in amplitude or quantity
   • a bare livelihood
   • a scanty harvest
   • a spare diet

Noun

1. short underpants for women or children (usually used in the plural)