Definition

Not having enough quantity or quality; very small or thin.

Example

The meal was meager, barely enough to satisfy my hunger.

Conversation

How was the meal you had at that new restaurant?

Honestly, it was pretty meager for the price we paid.

That's disappointing; I was hoping it would be good.

Yeah, I expected more for what we spent.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Meager originates from Old French *maigre*, meaning thin or lean, which in turn comes from Latin *macrus*, meaning thin or lean. The word describes something that is lacking in quantity or quality, often referring to insufficient nourishment or resources.

Memory Tip

Think of the Old French word for thin ('maigre') to remember that 'meager' means lacking in quantity or richness.

Visually Confused Words