meagre
gb/mˈiɡɹi/ us/mˈiɡɹi/
B2
English
~ 9100
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
very small and not enough
Too small in amount; not enough for what is needed or expected.
Usage pattern:
a meagre [amount of something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "meagre" with "minor" or "simple". "Meagre" always refers to something being too small in amount, especially money, resources, or numbers, not to something being easy or unimportant.
Synonyms
scant (Slightly more formal and less common; often used in written English.)
|
insufficient (More formal and technical; stresses not meeting a required level.)
|
paltry (Often suggests that the amount is not only small but also disappointing or even insulting.)
Antonyms
ample (Emphasises that there is more than enough of something.)
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generous (Focuses on a large or kind amount, especially of money or help.)
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substantial (Highlights that the amount is large and significant.)
Collocations
meagre salary
|meagre income
|meagre savings
|meagre majority
|meagre budget
|meagre benefits
Themes
money
|work
|politics
|statistics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She tried to support three children on her meagre salary.
- After rent and bills, his meagre savings were quickly used up.
- The party won by a meagre majority of just two seats.
- Many pensioners are forced to live on meagre incomes.
- Despite the meagre budget, the team still finished the project.
Learner examples
- He lives on a meagre income and cannot save money.
- They won by a meagre majority in the election.
- The workers complained about their meagre pay.
- Our school has only a meagre budget for new books.
adjective
C1
property
2
lacking quantity or quality
Small and poor in quality or amount, so that it does not feel rich, full, or satisfying.
Usage pattern:
a meagre [meal/choice/result/offer]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "meagre" for people’s feelings, but it is normally used for things like meals, evidence, support, results, or choices, not for emotions.
Synonyms
poor (Very common and general; can refer to quality, performance, or conditions.)
|
sparse (Suggests things are spread thinly or present in very small numbers.)
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limited (Neutral and common; stresses that there is not much choice, variety, or amount.)
Antonyms
plentiful (Suggests a large and satisfying amount, often used for food or resources.)
|
rich (Emphasises fullness or high quality, especially in food, experiences, or language.)
|
abundant (More formal; highlights a very large quantity that is more than enough.)
Collocations
meagre meal
|meagre portion
|meagre evidence
|meagre resources
|meagre offering
|meagre selection
Themes
food
|culture
|education
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We had only a meagre meal of bread and soup.
- The evidence against him was meagre and unconvincing.
- The report offers a meagre analysis of the real problems.
- Visitors complained about the museum’s meagre collection.
- Their support for the project was meagre at best.
Learner examples
- They served a meagre meal at the camp.
- The teacher had only meagre materials for the class.
- The movie got a meagre response from the audience.
- Scientists had meagre data, so they could not be sure.
adjective
literary
C1
property
3
very thin and underfed-looking
Very thin, with little flesh on the body, so that the person or animal looks weak or not well fed.
Usage pattern:
a meagre [body/figure/frame]
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use "meagre" for any kind of thin person. It is usually used in written or literary descriptions and often suggests hunger, illness, or hardship, not simply being slim or fit.
Synonyms
gaunt (Suggests extreme thinness, often from hunger, illness, or worry.)
|
scrawny (Informal and slightly negative; suggests unattractively thin.)
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emaciated (Very formal/medical; implies serious undernourishment or illness.)
Antonyms
well-fed (Suggests a body that clearly has enough food and flesh.)
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stout (Describes someone somewhat fat or heavily built.)
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plump (Suggests pleasantly slightly fat or rounded, often more positive.)
Collocations
meagre frame
|meagre body
|meagre figure
|meagre limbs
Themes
appearance
|health
|literature
|body
Examples
- A meagre old man opened the door and stared at us in silence.
- The stray dog was meagre and shaking from the cold.
- Under his coat, his body felt shockingly meagre and fragile.
- The refugees arrived with meagre faces and hollow eyes.
Learner examples
- A meagre boy stood in the doorway, looking hungry.
- They found a meagre dog in the street and gave it food.
- His body was meagre after many weeks without enough food.
- The writer described a meagre woman with tired eyes.
Grammar
Expressions
a meagre living
1/ə mˈiɡɹi lˈɪvɪŋ/
fixed phrase
barely enough income to live
Earning just enough money to stay alive, with almost nothing extra.
Examples
- She makes a meagre living selling vegetables at the market.
- Many artists survive on a meagre living while they work on their music.
a meagre majority
1/ə mˈiɡɹi məd͡ʒˈɔɹəti/
fixed phrase
very small voting majority
Winning by only a few votes or seats, not by a large number.
Examples
- The government was elected with a meagre majority and could easily lose power.
- The proposal passed by a meagre majority of three votes.
a meagre meal
1/ə mˈiɡɹi mˈil/
fixed phrase
small and unsatisfying meal
A small meal that does not feel like enough food.
Examples
- After the long hike, the campers were disappointed by the meagre meal.
- During the war, many families had to live on meagre meals of bread and soup.
a meagre salary
1/ə mˈiɡɹi sˈælɚi/
fixed phrase
very low and unsatisfactory pay
A salary that is very low and does not feel like enough money.
Examples
- He supports his family on a meagre salary from the factory.
- Teachers often complain about having to live on meagre salaries.
in meagre amounts
1/ˈɪn mˈiɡɹi əmˈaʊnts/
fixed phrase
only in very small quantities
Only in very small, not enough amounts.
Examples
- Food was available only in meagre amounts during the famine.
- The medicine is given in meagre amounts to avoid side effects.