meager
gb/mˈiɡɚ/ us/mˈiɡɚ/
B2
English
csekély, szűkös, szegényes, sovány
B2
1
Usage pattern:
a meager [amount/sum/number]; meager [resources/budget/pay]; [something] is meager
They survived on a meager income for years.
Évekig csekély jövedelemből éltek.
The project moved slowly because the team had meager resources.
A projekt lassan haladt, mert a csapatnak szűkös erőforrásai voltak.
After taxes and fees, the refund was meager.
Learner examples
I get a meager salary.
Alacsony a fizetésem.
We only have a meager amount of time.
Csak nagyon kevés időnk van.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with "miser" (a person who hates spending money). Spelling varies: US "meager," UK "meagre."
Meaning
too small in amount
Collocations
meager salary
|meager pay
|meager wages
|meager budget
|meager resources
|meager funding
|meager profits
|meager allowance
|meager portion
|meager amount
Synonyms
scant (Emphasizes not much of something available.)
|
paltry (Adds a sense of disappointment or contempt.)
|
modest (Often more neutral and less negative.)
Antonyms
ample (Enough or more than enough in amount.)
|
generous (More than expected or given freely.)
|
plentiful (Existing in large quantities.)
Themes
daily_life
|business
|money
|quantities
Definition
Too small; not enough.
Small in quantity and not enough for what is needed or expected.
C1
2
Usage pattern:
a meager [meal/explanation/argument/result]; meager [evidence/details]
The report offered only meager details about what went wrong.
A jelentés csak szegényes részleteket tartalmazott arról, mi ment félre.
Their meager evidence wasn’t enough to convince the jury.
A sovány bizonyítékaik nem voltak elegendők ahhoz, hogy meggyőzzék az esküdtszéket.
He gave a meager explanation and changed the subject.
Learner examples
There is meager evidence for this idea.
Kevés és gyenge bizonyíték szól emellett az elképzelés mellett.
The meal was meager and unsatisfying.
Az étel szegényes volt, és nem is laktatott.
Common mistake:
This use is about quality or substance (e.g., evidence, results), not just size.
Meaning
poor in quality or substance
Collocations
meager evidence
|meager results
|meager returns
|meager details
|meager explanation
|meager argument
|meager performance
|meager meal
|meager output
|meager contribution
Synonyms
thin (Common with evidence/arguments; stresses lack of support.)
|
weak (Highlights lack of strength or persuasiveness.)
|
skimpy (Often suggests something feels insufficiently provided.)
Antonyms
substantial (Large enough to be important; solid in substance.)
|
strong (Persuasive or powerful in effect.)
|
robust (Healthy, strong, and well-developed.)
Themes
communication
|education
|work
Definition
Not very good; not much content or value.
Lacking richness, strength, or substance; weak, thin, or unimpressive.
C1
3
sovány
B1
Usage pattern:
a meager [man/woman/child]; a meager [figure/frame/body]
The stray dog was meager and covered in dirt.
A kóbor kutya sovány volt, és csupa kosz.
After the long illness, he looked meager and tired.
A hosszú betegség után soványnak és fáradtnak látszott.
The photos showed a meager child in need of medical care.
Learner examples
The cat looked meager.
A macska soványnak tűnt.
He became meager after he was sick.
A betegség után lesoványodott.
Common mistake:
In this sense, "meager" describes a person’s body, not their personality.
Meaning
thin and undernourished
Collocations
meager frame
|meager figure
|meager body
|meager face
|meager child
|meager man
|meager horse
|meager appearance
Synonyms
gaunt (Very thin, often in a worrying or unhealthy way.)
|
scrawny (Informal; thin in a weak-looking way.)
|
emaciated (More extreme; very thin from starvation or illness.)
Antonyms
well-nourished (Healthy-looking because of enough food.)
|
plump (Pleasantly fat or rounded.)
|
sturdy (Strongly built and solid.)
Themes
health
|people
|animals
Definition
Very thin, often because of little food.
Very thin, often suggesting poor health or not having enough food.
Grammar
Dictionary form
meager
IPA
GB/mˈiɡɚ/
US/mˈiɡɚ/
Syllables & stress
mea - ger (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mea)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: meager
Word family
Expressions
meager at best
1/mˈiɡɚ ˈæt bˈɛst/
fixed phrase
only slightly good or adequate
Only a little good; maybe not good at all.
Examples
- The benefits are meager at best, and the risks are real.
- His chances of winning were meager at best.
- The evidence is meager at best, so we need more data.
Learner examples
- The results are meager at best.
meager fare
1/mˈiɡɚ fˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
simple or poor food/offerings
Simple food or poor choices.
Examples
- The hostel kitchen provided meager fare: bread, soup, and tea.
- During the storm, the town lived on meager fare for a week.
- The channel offers meager fare if you’re looking for documentaries.
Learner examples
- The café served meager fare.
meager pickings
1/mˈiɡɚ pˈɪkɪŋz/
fixed phrase
few good choices available
Not many good things to choose from.
Examples
- We arrived late and found meager pickings on the buffet table.
- In winter, the market has meager pickings for fresh berries.
- After dozens of applications, there were still meager pickings in his field.
Learner examples
- There are meager pickings today.