scant

Present in a very small amount or number.

• There is scant evidence.
• He paid scant attention to the warnings.
• The report provides scant detail about the costs.

Similar words: little, meagre, sparse

Opposites: abundant

Common phrases: scant evidence, scant attention, scant regard

Available in an amount that is only just enough, or too little.

• Their food supplies were scant.
• They survived the winter on scant provisions.
• Her scant income barely covered the rent.

Similar words: scanty, meagre, inadequate

Opposites: plentiful

Common phrases: scant supplies, scant resources, scant clothing

Slightly less than the amount stated.

• Add a scant cup of flour.
• The gap measures a scant inch.
• We had a scant hour to finish the work.

Common phrases: a scant cup, a scant teaspoon, a scant hour

A very small amount or number of something.

• We have scant time left.
• She found scant comfort in his words.
• There was scant reason to expect a better result.

Similar words: little, few

Opposites: much, many

Common phrases: scant reason, scant hope, scant comfort

To give someone too little of something or use less than is needed.

• They scanted the daily food allowance.
• The owner scanted his workers of proper meals.
• We must not scant the care these children need.

How to use it: scant someone of something (The employer scanted the workers of their meals.)

Similar words: stint, shortchange

Common phrases: scant someone of something, scant the provisions

To become weaker or smaller in amount.

• The wind began to scant.
• As the breeze scanted, the sails hung loose.
• Our supplies scanted as the journey continued.

Similar words: diminish, dwindle, weaken

Opposites: increase

Common phrases: the wind scants, begin to scant

A thin, flat piece of stone used in building or stonework.

• The mason cut a scant.
• They polished the marble scant before delivery.
• Each scant was checked for cracks at the quarry.

Similar words: slab

Common phrases: a marble scant, cut a scant