adj
meager
MEE-guh
adj
1
Poor or lacking in amount, quality, or extent; barely enough.
"The refugees survived on a meager ration of rice and water."
"Her savings were too meager to cover the emergency repair."
2
Thin, with little flesh on the body.
"The stray dog looked meager after weeks without a proper meal."
How to Use Meager
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot enough of something — a small, disappointing amount, or a body that's too thin.
UK vs US
This is the standard American spelling; British English generally prefers "meagre".
Easily confused with
Common pairings
meager budget
meager wages
meager portion
meager resources
Word Forms
meagerer comparative, meagered past tense, meagers singular, meagerest superlative
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The refugees survived on a _____ ration of rice and water.
Etymology
From Old French maigre, from Latin macer ("thin, lean") — the same root that gives us "emaciated".