skimpiness

A shopkeeper's skimpiness is evident in the thin slice of cheese he offers.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The quality of being scanty or insufficient: "skimpiness" refers to the state or condition of being inadequate in amount, size, or extent, often implying a lack of generosity or abundance.
   • Stinginess or meanness: It can also denote a tendency to be overly frugal or miserly, especially in providing resources or materials.

Usage Examples

• (The meal was too small and insufficient.)
• (She was overly sparing with praise.)
• (The material was too thin or inadequate.)

Advanced Usage

• "skimpiness of detail": a lack of thoroughness or completeness in information.

  • The report was criticized for the skimpiness of its analysis. (It did not provide enough detailed information.)

• "skimpiness in design": a minimal or insufficient approach to design elements.

  • The skimpiness of the furniture made the room feel empty. (The furniture was too sparse or lacking.)

Variants and Related Words

• Skimpy (adj): characterized by skimpiness; insufficient or meager.

  • She wore a skimpy outfit to the party. (The outfit was revealing or too small.)

• Skimp (v): to use insufficient resources or effort; to be stingy.

  • Don't skimp on the ingredients for the cake. (Don't use too little of them.)

Synonyms

• Scantiness: the state of being barely sufficient.
• Meagerness: lack of quantity or quality.
• Stinginess: unwillingness to give or spend.
• Insufficiency: not enough to meet needs.

Related Idioms

• "Cut corners": to reduce quality or effort to save money or time.

  • The builder cut corners on materials, leading to the skimpiness of the structure. (He used cheap or insufficient materials.)

• "Poverty of spirit": a lack of generosity or abundance, often in a figurative sense.

  • The skimpiness of his charity revealed a poverty of spirit. (His giving was meager and ungenerous.)