meagre
Meagre (adj) means Poor or lacking in amount, quality, or extent; barely enough. Example: “The company posted meagre profits for the third year running.”
How to use meagre
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe British spelling of "meager" — not enough of something; also the name of an edible fish.
Standard British/Commonwealth spelling; American English uses "meager".
Word forms
meagrer comparative, meagred past tense, meagres plural, meagres singular, meagrest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company posted _____ profits for the third year running.
Etymology
From Middle French maigre, ultimately from Latin macer ("thin, lean").
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “meagre” mean?
The word “meagre” means poor or lacking in amount, quality, or extent; barely enough. In plain terms, the British spelling of "meager" — not enough of something; also the name of an edible fish.
How do you pronounce “meagre”?
“Meagre” is pronounced MEEG (/ˈmiːɡɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “meagre” in a sentence?
Here is “meagre” used in a sentence: “The company posted meagre profits for the third year running.”
What part of speech is “meagre”?
Depending on how it is used, “meagre” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “meagre” come from?
The word “meagre” comes from Latin. From Middle French maigre, ultimately from Latin macer ("thin, lean").
How many meanings does “meagre” have?
“Meagre” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: poor or lacking in amount, quality, or extent; barely enough.
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