First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1scant
adjective \ˈskant\
: very small in size or amount
Full Definition of SCANT
1
2
a : barely or scarcely sufficient; especially : not quite coming up to a stated measure <a scant teaspoon> b : lacking in amplitude or quantity <scant growth>
3
: having a small or insufficient supply <he's fat, and scant of breath — Shakespeare>
— scant·ly adverb
— scant·ness noun
See scant defined for English-language learners
See scant defined for kids
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Origin of SCANT
Middle English, from Old Norse skamt, neuter of skammr short
Related to SCANT
Synonym Discussion of SCANT
meager, scanty, scant, skimpy, spare, sparse mean falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable. meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency <a meager portion of meat>. scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent <supplies too scanty to last the winter>. scant suggests a falling short of what is desired or desirable rather than of what is essential <in January the daylight hours are scant>. skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency <tacky housing developments on skimpy lots>. spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity <a spare, concise style of writing>. sparse implies a thin scattering of units <a sparse population>.
2scant
adverb
3scant
transitive verb
Definition of SCANT
1
: to provide an incomplete supply of
2
: to make small, narrow, or meager
3
: to give scant attention to : slight
4
: to provide with a meager or inadequate portion or supply : stint
First Known Use of SCANT
circa 1580
Related to SCANT
- Synonyms
- nurse, spare, skimp (on), stint (on)
SCANT Defined for Kids
scant
adjective \ˈskant\
Definition of SCANT for Kids
1
: barely enough <Ramona paid scant attention to this little speech … — Beverly Cleary, Ramona Quimby>
2
: not quite to a full amount, degree, or extent <He poured a scant cup of milk.>
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